Pituitary Tumor

[kand]

My mon has been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor a few years ago and she also has thyroid disease.  The meds make her sick, so she does not want to take them. Her new bloodwork showed her levels at 127, not that unnormal for her.  I read about Vitex, would this be something that she should try.  Any alternative would be great.  What are the drugs prescribed for a pituitary tumor

[Godofredo MD]

Hi again.

As a follow-up to your post, I need to ask you if you already know (by asking your mother's doctor) what kind of pituitary tumor your mother has? Also, what medications were not tolerated by your mother? Have you asked your mother's physician on changing the drugs that were not tolerated?

You should try to look for and value posts like that of phoebe_bird above who has first-hand experience with some drugs used for pituitary tumors as they might be applicable for your mother's condition.

Hope this helps.

[phoebe_bird]

I have a tiny prolactinoma. My doctor at the time started me on bromocriptine (parlodel), which I could not tolerate at all. So she switched me to cabergoline (Dostinex). I have been taking it for almost 8 years. The tumor shrunk from 8-9 mm to 2 mm. I tolerate the side effects of Dostinex much better than the parlodel.

Hope this helps.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

As a supplement, I do not foresee any contraindication to your mom taking Vitex.  However, if side-effects occur from taking this supplement, please discontinue its intake.

The drugs given for pituitary tumors would depend on what type of tumor it is. Drug therapy is targeted at blocking excess hormone secretion and shrink some types of this tumor.

For prolactinomas, drugs given include bromocriptine and cabergoline. For growth hormone-producing tumors, drugs given include somatostatin analogs and pegvisomant.

Hope this helps.

[jcmk1281]

It depends on what hormone that the tumor causes an alteration in the production, increase or decrease.

For a prolactinoma, tumor that increases the level of prolactin the choices include: Dostinex, Parlodel, Permax.

dostinex in some patients is better tolerated than the other two but it is more expensive

for more information see the website of the pituitary society at http://www.pituitarysociety.org/public/faq/pituitarytumour(treatment)faq#a_benefits.......this website gives more information on treatment of pituitary tumors.