NEUROENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF SUMATRIPTAN

The neuroendocrine effects of the 5-HT receptor agonist, sumatriptan ( 6 mg subcutaneously), were studied in 11 healthy male subjects using a placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Compared to placebo, sumatript an significantly lowered levels of plasma prolactin but increased thos e of plasma growth hormone. There was no effect on plasma cortisol con centrations. The neuroendocrine effects of sumatriptan differ from tho se of previously described 5-HT-receptor agonists, and may be a conseq uence of selective activation of 5-HT1D or 5-HT1B receptors. However, the present data cannot exclude the possibility that the neuroendocrin e changes reflect nonspecific stress responses or changes in pituitary blood flow.