Domperidone, an Extracerebral Inhibitor of Dopamine Receptors, Stimulates Thyrotropin and Prolactin Release in Man

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Abstract
Domperidone, an extracerebral dopamine receptor antagonist, was given im to 12 normal subjects and to a group of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism to study its effect on PRL and TSH secretion. Domperidone induced in all subjects a quick and marked increment of serum PRL. At 180 min, the levels remained high. A small but significant increase of TSH was also observed in normal as well as in hypothyroid subjects. Since domperidone does not cross the blood-brain barrier, the hormonal changes observed may be mediated through the pituitary and median eminence, tissues which lie outside of the bloodbrain barrier.