Therapeutic applications of bromocriptine in endocrine and neurological diseases

Bromocriptine, or 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine, is a semisynthetic ergot alkaloid. The basis of its therapeutic application in endocrine and neurological diseases is its action as a potent dopamine agonist. Its ability to inhibit prolactin secretion has led to its successful use in suppression of puerperal lactation and in the treatment of pathological hyperprolactinaemia causing galactorrhoea, infertility or hypogonadism. It has been shown to be safe in pregnancy. The ability of bromocriptine to reduce the size of large prolactin-secreting pituitary tumours has resulted in the recovery of pituitary function and correction of visual field defects. Bromocriptine is less effective in acromegaly but is useful as adjuvant therapy to radiotherapy and/or surgery which has been the standard mode of treatment. It has been shown to be efficacious either alone or in combination with levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Therapy with low doses appears to be effective and is associated with a significantly reduced incidence of side effects. The successful use of bromocriptine has also been reported for the treatment of non-functioning pituitary tumours, premenstrual syndrome, cyclical mastalgia, luteal phase insufficiency and portal-systemic encephalopathy, although its role in the treatment of these latter disorders remains uncertain until more extensive and adequately controlled trials have been conducted.