Postpartum psychosis induced by bromocriptine and pseudoephedrine

Bromocriptine is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist sometimes used for postpartum suppression of lactation. On rare occasions (a total of seven previous reports in the literature), use of the medication has been associated with psychotic symptomatology in postpartum patients. This case report describes a 19-year-old postpartum woman who developed severe psychotic symptoms while taking low doses of bromocriptine and pseudoephedrine. The use of bromocriptine for suppression of lactation is controversial. If prescribed for postpartum patients, bromocriptine alone or in combination with sympathomimetic drugs should be used only with caution.