Potent 48 hours inhibition of prolactin secretion by pergolide in hyperprolactinaemic women.

The duration of the inhibition of Prl secretion by pergolide, a new dopaminergic ergoline, was investigated in 5 hyperprolactinaemic women after a single oral 50 micrograms dose. In each subject, blood samples were collected every 2 h for 18-24 h to establish baseline Prl level and then every 3 h for 48-51 h after pergolide administration. In each subject, levels were potently suppressed by at least 80% of baseline and brought down to the normal range. Prolactin suppression was quite sustained throughout the study period in 4 patients and to a lesser degree in the remaining subject. This potent long-lasting inhibition of Prl secretion should enhance the efficacy and acceptability of the chronic treatment of hyperprolactinaemia with this new dopamine agonist and, for example, allow drug intake only once every other day.