Sulpiride and the potentiation of progestogen only contraception
Payne, M.R.; Howie, P.W.; McNeilly, A.S.; Cooper, W.; Marnie, M.; Kidd, L.
British Medical Journal 291(6495): 559-561
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0267-0623 PMID: 2994800 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.291.6495.559Document Number: 414912
A progestogen (norethisterone) and a dopamine antagonist (sulpiride) were given alone and in combination to volunteers to examine their effects on excretion of ovarian steroids. Compared with non-treatment cycles (n = 15), contraception with a progestogen alone (n = 10) was associated with increased excretion of oesterone and partial suppression of excretion of pregnanediol, suggesting partial luteinisation of unruptured follicles. By contrast, the combination of nortehisterone and sulpiride (n = 9) suppressed both ovarian steroids to basal values, the suppression being even greater than with sulpiride alone (n = 5). These results suggest that a combination of a progestogen with a dopamine antagonist might have a role in contraception.