Stable reduction of plasma growth hormone (hGH) levels during chronic administration of 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154) in acromegalic patients.

In 7 acromegalic patients in whom plasma hGH concentrations had dropped acutely after a single dose of 2-B r-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154, 2.5 mg orally) chronic CB-154 treatment (10 mg orally for 30 days) was also accompanied by a significant and stable reduction of hGH. Withdrawal of the drug was followed by a rapid return of hGH to pretreatment values. Reinstatement of oral CB-154 treatment resulted again in suppression of hGH levels measured 30 and 60 days later. In 5 patients, unresponsive to acute administration of CB-154, no appreciable variation in hGH levels was present after 30 days of treatment. These results suggest that 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine offers a new approach to the medical treatment of acromegaly.