bromocriptine

[ broh-muh-krip-teen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an ergot derivative, C 32 H 40 BrN 5 O 5 , that inhibits prolactin and growth hormone secretions and stimulates dopamine production in the brain, used to prevent postpartum lactation and in the treatments of acromegaly and Parkinson's disease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bromocriptine¹

1975–80; shortening and alteration of bromoergocryptine, equivalent to bromo- + ergocryptine < German Ergokryptin an alkaloid derivative of ergotoxine ( ergo- ergo- ² + Greek krypt ( ós ) hidden + -in -in ²; perhaps so called because the independent nature of the derivative was not initially recognized)