Lactation suppression with bromocriptine.
The efficacy and acceptability of bromocriptine in suppressing postpartum lactation was determined in a double blind study in which bromocriptine 2.5 mg twice daily for 14 days was compared with a placebo. Forty women who decide during the antenatal period not to breast feed entered the study. The bromocriptine treated group had significantly less mammary secretion and breast engorgement than the control group and also required less analgesia. The most noticeable side effects during the trial were dizziness, headache and abdominal pain. The only statistical difference between the two groups was a higher incidence of dizziness in the bromocriptine treated group.
There are insufficient data to draw any firm conclusions. Treatment with bromocriptine appears promising, although women would be unable to breastfeed due to suppression of lactation.