BROMOCRIPTINE IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMAT OID PSORIASIS

Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and/or gold salts were unsuccessfu l alone in providing symptom relief in three men with rheumatoid psori asis, All three were treated with bromocriptine (5 mg/d in 2 doses) af ter verification of normal baseline and protirelin-stimulation prolact in levels. There was a beneficial effect in nocturnal pain relief, mor ning stiffness, the Lee and Ritchie scores and biological markers of i nflammation. Two of the patients were able to return to regular work o ccupation after 15 and 45 days. In the third patient, bromocriptine wa s discontinued due to nausea and dizziness but was reintroduced succes sfully in fractionated doses after recurrence of the symptomatology. T reatment was continued without secondary adverse effects for 3 to 9 mo nths providing continued symptom relief. Bromocriptine can be an effec tive adjuvant for the management of rheumatoid psoriasis.