Long-acting injectable bromocriptine (Parlodel LAR) in the chronic treatment of prolactin-secreting macroadenomas.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Parlodel LAR (Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland), a long-acting injectable bromocriptine, in PRL-secreting macroadenomas.

DESIGN

Eleven patients with macroprolactinomas were studied in an academic environment in an open and prospective protocol. Ten patients were followed for 6 months and 8 for 1 year. Fifty to 200 mg IM of Parlodel LAR were administered every 28 days.

RESULTS

At the end of the 1st month, 64% of the patients had PRL suppression of > 75% of baseline values. After 1 year, 88% of the cases had PRL suppression of > 90%. Persistent PRL normalization was seen in three cases. Tumor shrinkage was seen in 64% of the patients on day 5, in 73% on day 28, and in 90% after 6 months of treatment. Early visual field improvement was seen in 83% of the cases. All patients had improvement of clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Parlodel LAR is well tolerated and very effective in the long-term treatment of patients with PRL-secreting macroadenomas.