Bromocriptineis a dopamine agonist that is used in the treatment of pituitary tumors, Parkinson's disease (PD), hyperprolactinaemia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Amenorrhea, female infertility, galactorrhea, hypogonadism, and acromegaly may all be caused by pituitary problems, such as hyperprolactinaemia, and therefore, these problems may be treated with this drug. Bromocriptine has completely treated gestational macromastia eliminating the need for reduction surgery, in a recent case. Bromocriptine is a potent agonist at dopamine D2 receptors and various serotonin receptors. It also inhibits the release of glutamate, by reversing the glutamate GLT1 transporter. Bromocriptine, 2-bromoergocriptine, is a semisynthetic derivative of a natural ergot alkaloid, ergocriptin (a derivative of lysergic acid), which is synthesized by bromination of ergocriptin using N-bromosuccinimide.
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