Suppression of Puerperal Lactation with an Ergot Alkaloid: A Double-blind Study

Abstract

SummaryA double-blind trial was performed in 60 women to establish the effectiveness of an ergot alkaloid, 2-Bralpha-ergocryptine (ergocryptine; CB 154), in suppressing puerperal lactation and to compare it with stilboestrol and a placebo. At the doses selected ergocryptine and stilboestrol were equallyeffective.

The Relationship Between Lactation and the Release of Prolactin and Growth Hormone in the Goat

“…7; Hart, 1973a), in which blood levels of prolactin were markedly reduced by means of the drug 2-Br-aergocryptine, clearly indicates that high circulating levels of prolactin are unnecessary to maintain the milk yield during mid-lactation. These results in ruminants are contrary to those found in some monogastric animals (Shaar & Clemens, 1972;Besser et al, 1972;Varga et al, 1972), but were not entirely unexpected as, once the yield milk has been restored after hypophysectomy in the lactating goat, lactation can be maximally maintained for over 3 weeks using a combination of hormones (bovine GH, tri-iodothyronine and dexamethasone) not including prolactin (Cowie, 1969 …”

Puerperal Lactation, Gonadotropin Release and Estradiol Release: Effects of Metergoline and Bromocriptine

“…Breast-feeding was refused for personal reasons or was contraindicated for medical nonendocrinologic reasons in 15 women. Lactation was therefore prevented in 9 of them with metergoline [8] (Liserdol®, Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Milano, Italy; 12 mg/day for 14 days) and in the other 6 with bromocriptine [9] (Parlodel®, Sandoz, Basel, Switzerland; 5 mg/day for 14 days), the allocation to either treatment being randomized. After their first menstruation and about 1 week before the next ex pected menstrual episode, most of the 28 women were called back for an evaluation of their serum progester one levels.…”

Suppression of Puerperal Lactation by Terguride

“…Since 1972, when Varga et al [1] demon strated the PRL-lowering action of bromo criptine, an ergot derivative which acts as a potent dopaminergic agonist, this drug has been widely used for inhibition of lactation usually at a daily dose of 5 mg. Lisuride, a DA-agonist [2], and metergoline, an antiserotoninergic drug [3], are also successfully used for inhibition of lactation.…”