Korean J Fertil Steril.  1999 Aug;26(2):287-291.

A Case of Bromocriptine Resistant Hyperprolactinemia Which was Responsive to Pergolide

• Nam YS
• Han SY
• Choi DH
• Yoon TK
• Cha KY

Abstract

Dopamine agonists are commonly used in the medical treatment of prolactinomas. Bromocriptine has been the most widely used ergot derivative for two decades. Its oral administration, at a daily dose of 2.5~7.5 mg, restored normal gonadal function and normoprolactinemia in about 80% of patients. Nevertheless, a subset of patients could not achieve normal prolactin levels or resume normal gonadal function despite 15~30 mg /day bromocriptine for at least 6 months. Subsequently, these prolactinomas were consedered to be resistant to bromocriptine. The percentage of bromocriptine - resistant prolactinoma patients reported in the literature varies between 5 and 17% according to the series. Patients with bromocriptine resistance or bromocriptine intolerance have, however, been treated with other dopamine agonists, such as lysuride, pergolide, cabergoline, or quinagolide. Until cabergoline recently gained a product licence in the UK, there was no alternative dopamine agonist with a licence for this purpose. Quinagolide (CV 205~502, Norprolac, Sandoz) is a non-ergot dopamine agonist with improved selectivity for the D2 receptor, designed to retain the active pharmacophore of bromocriptine without the ergot moiety that might be responsible for side-effects. We have experienced a case of bromocriptine resistant hyperprolactinemia which was reponsive to pergolide. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

MeSH Terms

Administration, Oral
Bromocriptine*
Dopamine Agonists
Gonads
Humans
Hyperprolactinemia*
Lisuride
Pergolide*
Prolactin
Prolactinoma
Bromocriptine
Dopamine Agonists
Lisuride
Pergolide
Prolactin