Experiences with bromocriptine treatment in acromegaly--a preliminary report

Seven acromegalic patients were treated with 20 mg bromocriptine daily for 3--8 weeks. Four responded with reduction but not normalization of plasma growth hormone (GH) whereas three showed no response. In all patients with subjective symptoms of joint stiffness, sweating and headache improvement occurred, but this was independent of GH response. Hyperacidity and/or obstipation occurred in five patients. These side effects were slight and transitory in four but severe in one. Prolactin levels were normal in all patients before treatment and became unmeasurable during bromocriptine.