Bromocriptine suppresses postpartum exacerbation of collagen-induced arthritis.

We administered bromocriptine (Parlodel) to arthritic mice immediately postpartum, and found that the drug suppressed the clinical exacerbation of joint involvement that was seen in untreated animals. Approximately 50% reduction in severity of disease was achieved with bromocriptine (P less than 0.001). The effect may be due to suppression of the prolactin release that normally occurs postpartum.