Re:  Judy Holtzer Knopf, #10. increasing prolactin

Just read a research note in Science News, vol. 149, 1/6/96 about a study
reported in 12/13/95 JAMA by Avorn et al.  They looked at med. records of
nearly 20K people age 65 or older to determine how many had ever taken
metoclopramide.  About 3.5K had recently begun treatment for Parkinson's.
It seems that metoclopromide can create symptoms which mimick Parkinson's,
and Avorn & colleagues concluded from data that an ELDERLY person taking the
drug was 3x more likely to be given meds to treat Parkinson's than was
someone not having had metoclopramide.
Granted, nursing moms aren't usually in the 65+ age group, but this study
looked for folks EVER having taken metoclopramide.  Could the use of this
drug to increase prolactin in a young woman set her up for other
drug-induced problems later in life?  The article quoted Stanley L. Slater
from the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda MD: "The study results are
disturbing because metoclopramide is a widely prescribed drug.  Its use may
have resulted in people being needlessly treated with costly and possible
toxic antiparkinsonian medications for a disease they don't have."  Just a
thought.
Have been enjoying reading Lactnet without feeling a real urge to respond
until now!
Sara C. Reuning MS, LLLL & IBCLC in TN