A RANDOMIZED STUDY OF SMS 201-995 VERSUS BROMOCRIPTINE TREATMENT IN ACROMEGALY - CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS

Twenty-six acromegalic patients were randomized to treatment with either SMS 201–995 or bromocriptine in increasing doses and were investigated before treatment, after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment, and 2 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. There were two dropouts from the bromocriptine group and one from the SMS 201–995 group. Amelioration of clinical signs and symptoms was seen in both groups during treatment. After 8 weeks mean 12-h GH concentrations had declined from 13.8 ± 5.2 to 2.9 ± 4.4 (mean ± sem) in SMS 201–995-treated and from 18.8 ± 7.5 to 5.4 ± 1.2 μ/L in bromocriptine-treated patients. Somatomedin-C concentrations fell from 3.04 ± 0.36 to 1.43 ± 0.36 in SMS 201–995-treated and from 2.93 ± 0.40 to 2.13 ± 0.27 U/mL in bromocriptine-treated patients. Size reduction of the pituitary tumor was seen in one patient receiving bromocriptine. Gastrointestinal glucose absorption was delayed, and insulin secretion suppressed during treatment with SMS 201–995. Hemoglobin-Al concentrations remained unchanged in SMS 201–995-treated patients, but declined in the bromocriptine group. Side-effects were common, but usually tolerable, with both treatments. It is concluded that both drugs are of benefit in the treatment of acromegaly. © 1990 by The Endocrine Society.