New Cabergolin Drug Vouched As Better Lactation Suppressant

Lactation, an innate and physiological process that occurs in post-delivery women is fundamental for feeding and nourishing the baby. However, on certain occasions inhibition or suppression of lactation becomes necessary in situations like a still-born child, neonatal fatality, incapable of feeding the child due to medical factors like presence of HIV, heart ailments, tuberculosis or personal factors. With a rising number of working mothers, nearly 50% of whom for certain pressing reasons have to opt for lactation suppression or inhibition.

The conventionally employed drugs involve the administration of solely estrogen, estrogen-androgen in combination, pyridoxine and bromocriptine. All these drugs displayed varying effectiveness, heightened occurrences of return of lactation and a host of side effects. Such drugs were observed to have undesirable patient observance due to inject able route or oral course for extended periods.

Cabergoline is the novel drug introduced in the market for lactation suppression and prevention. It is basically artificial ergoline that displays higher specificity and affinity for the dopamine D2 receptors that is a crucial agonist to inhibit milk suppression. It has been known to be effectual and has long lasting action for inhibiting prolactin secretion that directly affects milk production.

In a random control trial undertaken in nearly 200 postpartum women that needed lactation suppression, Cabergoline has been proven to have superior patient compliance in comparison to other drugs due to its oral administration and easy dose schedule.

Cabergoline was found to be significantly better option for complete lactation suppression as compared to those patients who took estrogen-androgen drugs that needed extra doses to achieve complete lactation cessation.

Though, age old practices for lactation suppression like the use of tight breast support, ice packs, sage tea and cabbage leaves compresses were advocated. Such methods are beneficial solely in cases of breast engorgement but do not bring about total lactation suppression that is best achieved by Cabergoline.

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