Author's reply

EDITOR,--Padraig Kramer's recommendations on the use of oestrogens, metoclopramide, and chlorpromazine to induce lactation are helpful, and I too have used chlorpromazine for this purpose, in Africa. Opinion seems to be divided over the drugs' value in Western countries, and drugs other than nasal oxytocin (not now available in Britain) are little used in Britain, though they are used in the United States. All the drugs mentioned boost prolactin concentrations but are less effective in increasing the output of milk and may be of mainly psychological benefit. Other methods seem to be equally effective in helping relactation and have fewer side effects. Documented trials, however, are scanty. The drugs mentioned are not licensed for use in inducing lactation in Britain.