Dihydroergocristine and prolactin: A preliminary study in spontaneous hyperprolactinaemia

Dihydroergocristine (DHEC) (1.5 mg i.m.) was administered to 6 normoprolactinaemic and to 16 hyperprolactinaemic patients. A 45% to 70% reduction on prolactin (PRL) serum levels (P <0.01) was observed in normo- and hyperprolactinaemic subjects, respectively. The decrease was proportional to the initial levels and was still evident at 24 hrs (F = 271.1, P <0.01). The pattern of PRL decrease was comparable to that observed after bromocriptine (2.5 mg p.o.) and L-dopa (500 mg p.o.) in 15 and 8 patients, respectively. No adverse effect was recorded. Studies are justified to evaluate the effect of chronic oral treatment with DHEC in spontaneous hyperprolactinaemia.