New long-acting bromocriptine (Parlodel MR and Parlodel LAR) in the treatment of pituitary tumours with hyperprolactinemia.

In order to assess the efficacy and tolerability of new long acting bromocriptine: Parlodel MR (oral form) and Parlodel LAR (injectable form suitable for repeatable administration) 40 patients (29 women and 11 men) with pituitary tumours with hyperprolactinemia (PRL 70 micrograms/l) were investigated in a double blind study. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 20. In the first group Parlodel R or Parlodel MR in equivalent doses was given, the other group was administered Parlodel R or Parlodel LAR. During the next 6 months 20 patients were treated with Parlodel MR and the other 20 with Parlodel LAR. In all patients pituitary and peripheral hormones, CT scan and visual fields were examined before and after 28 days of bromocriptine treatment. During the next six months 20 patients were treated with Parlodel MR while the other 20 with Parlodel LAR. Serum PRL fell in all patients and values in the normal range were obtained in 36 patients. In 30 out of 35 patients with signs of pituitary tumour in CT scan, a significant tumour shrinkage was observed. Most patients achieved considerable clinical improvement: disappearance of galactorrhoea, resumed menses in women, increased potency in men. There were no difference in efficacy in Parlodel R, Parlodel MR and Parlodel LAR, but in the case of Parlodel LAR the least number of side effects was found. Treatment with long acting bromocriptine-Parlodel MR and LAR of patients with pituitary tumours with hyperprolactinemia is an efficacious, safe and better tolerated method than Parlodel R treatment.