Aldosterone response to metoclopramide in patients with prolactinoma: effect of short-term bromocriptine treatment

The acute effect of 10 mg metoclopramide i.v. on prolactin and aldosterone levels was studied in 8 women with prolactinoma and 8 normal women. The prolactin response to metoclopramide was blunted in hyperprolactinemic patients in comparison with controls. Metoclopramide induced similar aldosterone increases in patients and controls, but hyperprolactinemic women showed a more sustained aldosterone response. Bromocriptine treatment (10 mg daily p.o. for 5 days) in patients with prolactinoma completely suppressed the prolactin response to metoclopramide and the aldosterone response curve was very similar to that of controls. The results did not exclude some degree of suppression of aldosterone in response to bromocriptine.