Single-dose bromocriptine reverses cocaine craving.

Thirteen hospitalized cocaine addicts complaining of cocaine craving were given a single dose of bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. Compared to placebo, bromocriptine caused a significant reduction in craving ratings. These data suggest that bromocriptine may be effective as a new, nonaddictive pharmacological treatment for cocaine addicts and support the notion that functional dopamine depletion occurs with chronic cocaine use. Open trials indicate that low-dose bromocriptine may be useful in cocaine detoxification.