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Retrospective comparison of cabergoline and bromocriptine effects in hyperprolactinemia: a single center experience

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Abstract

Introduction

Patients with hyperprolactinemia who require medical therapy are typically treated with dopamine agonists (DAs). In most cases, DAs normalize prolactin levels, control symptoms, and substantially decrease tumor size. Here, we aimed to compare the efficacy of cabergoline (CAB) and bromocriptine (BRC) in patients with hyperprolactinemia at a single center.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 498 patients with hyperprolactinemia [mean age 33.3 ± 10.8 years (range 16–66), 450 women, and 48 men] who had received either CAB (n = 450) or BRC (n = 48) was performed.

Results

The mean age, gender distribution, and treatment duration were similar between the CAB and BRC groups (33.2 ± 11 vs. 34.1 ± 9.6 years, male/female 44/406 vs. 4/44, 18.7 ± 12.1 vs. 17.8 ± 6.0 months, respectively; p > 0.05 for all). Mean dosage was 1.5 ± 1.6 mg/week for CAB and 3.8 ± 2.7 mg/day for BRC. Baseline prolactin levels, frequency of galactorrhea, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and visual impairment were similar between the two groups, whereas the baseline tumor volume was higher in the CAB group. The prolactin normalization rate (87.4 vs. 41.4 %, p = 0.029) and tumor volume shrinkage (79.8 ± 39.1 vs. 54.1 ± 55.3 %, p = 0.015) were significantly higher in the CAB-treated patients than in the BRC-treated patients, while the tumor cure rates were similar. Symptom relief was higher in the CAB group than in the BRC group. More side effects were recorded in patients who took BRC (29.1 vs. 5.3 %, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data revealed that CAB was more effective than BRC in controlling symptoms associated with hormone excess, normalizing serum prolactin levels, and shrinking prolactinomas.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicting interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Diabetes, Endocrine and Obesity Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA

    A. Arduc

  2. Ministry Of Health, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinic, Kayseri Research and Training Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey

    F. Gokay

  3. Ministry Of Health, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinic, Ankara Numune Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    S. Isik, G. Akbaba, Y. Tutuncu & D. Berker

  4. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    U. Ozuguz

  5. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey

    F. K. Kucukler & S. Guler

  6. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Duzce University Medical School, Duzce, Turkey

    Y. Aydin

  7. 1778 Dawson Street, Vienna, VA, 22182, USA

    A. Arduc

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  1. A. Arduc
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  2. F. Gokay
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Correspondence to A. Arduc.

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Arduc, A., Gokay, F., Isik, S. et al. Retrospective comparison of cabergoline and bromocriptine effects in hyperprolactinemia: a single center experience. J Endocrinol Invest 38, 447–453 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0212-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0212-4

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