[Treatment of macroprolactinomas with quinagolide (Norprolac)]

Quinagolide is a non-ergot dopaminergic agonist recently available on the French market. The endocrine and tumoral efficacy as well as the safety and tolerability of quinagolide in the treatment of macroprolactinomas are reviewed. In this situation, plasma prolactin levels are normalized in about 60% of patients and in about one third of those who are resistant to bromocriptine. A significant decrease in pituitary tumor size is demonstrated by radiographic studies in 58 to 69% of patients. About one third of patients show more than 50% tumor shrinkage. The tolerability of quinagolide is satisfactory in most cases and clearly better than that of bromocriptine. Thus, quinagolide is a useful tool in the treatment of macroprolactinomas.