What types of pharmacological therapy are suitable for acromegaly?
The type of pharmacological therapy recommended for acromegaly depends on a number of factors relating to the individual patient, the severity and complications of the disease, and the risk/benefit ratio of the particular treatment modality.4 Long-acting somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide acetate (Sandostatin®), are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment.5 Oral dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel®), constitute another therapeutic option. Dopamine agonists are only effective in approximately 10% of patients with acromegaly; however they may be the preferred choice of pharmacological therapy in patients with acromegaly and co-existent hyperprolactinaemia.13 Independent studies and case reports suggest that patients resistant to monotherapy with either agent may benefit from the combined use of Sandostatin® and bromocriptine.5,13,14 Concomitant administration of Sandostatin® and bromocriptine increases the bioavailability of bromocriptine.
