Medicines might be the only treatment needed for some kinds of pituitary tumors.

For certain small pituitary tumors, medicines may stop the tumor from growing. Or medicines can be used to keep it from making hormones that affect other parts of the body.

Medicines can't destroy the tumor completely. But they can control hormone production. And in some cases, they can help shrink the tumor.

Many different kinds of medicines are used to treat these tumors. The type used depends on the type of pituitary tumor. It also depends on the type of hormone, and how much of it, the tumor makes.

These tumors are most often treated with medicines that stop them from making prolactin and help shrink the tumor or keep it from growing. Many times dopamine agonist medicines are the only treatment needed. They're taken as pills. The medicines most often used are:

• Cabergoline.
• Bromocriptine.

After a few months of treatment, tests will be done to see if the medicine is working. Blood tests are used to measure your prolactin levels. You may also have an MRI to look at the size of the tumor.

Sometimes the tumor goes away, and the medicine can be stopped. But you'll be watched closely to see if it comes back. In other cases, you may need the medicine for the rest of your life.

These tumors are often first treated with surgery. If hormone levels are still high after surgery, somatostatin analog medicines may be used. These medicines, which are given as injections, include:

• Octreotide.
• Lanreotide.
• Pasireotide.
• Pegvisomant (a GH antagonist may be used if these other medicines don't work).

High doses of cabergoline or bromocriptine (both pills) may also be taken along with one of these medicines.

These tumors are most often treated with surgery and sometimes with radiation. Because it can take radiation a long time to work, medicines may be used in the meantime. But medicines alone don't work well for these kinds of tumors. And they often have serious side effects if taken for a long time. Medicines that may be used include:

• Ketoconazole (pill).
• Mitotane (pill).
• Metyrapone (pill).
• Osilodrostat (pill).
• Aminoglutethimide (pill).
• Pasireotide (injection).
• Etomidate (injection).
• Mifepristone (pill).

If these medicines don't work, cabergoline or bromocriptine (both pills) may be tried.

The hormones made by these very rare tumors don't cause any symptoms. They tend to be found when they're big and causing problems by pushing on nerves and the brain. Because of the size, surgery and maybe radiation afterward are preferred treatments. Regular scans will be done to see if the tumor comes back. If radiation and surgery don't work, the medicines that might be given are:

• Cabergoline (pill).
• Bromocriptine (pill).
• Octreotide (injection).
• Lanreotide (injection).

These rare tumors are treated with surgery, and maybe radiation afterwards. If there's still too much thyrotropin, medicines may be needed. Medicines most often used include:

• Octreotide (injection).
• Lanreotide (injection).
• Cabergoline (pill).
• Bromocriptine (pill).

These tumors tend to not cause problems until they're big. Surgery and radiation are the first treatments used. But if those don't work, the medicines that may be used to try to slow the growth of these tumors include:

• Cabergoline (pill).
• Bromocriptine (pill).
• Octreotide (injection).
• Lanreotide (injection).
• Pasireotide (injection).

The medicines used to treat pituitary tumors cause side effects. Side effects depend on which medicine is used and what the dose is. They can include things like:

• Upset stomach (nausea).
• Dizziness.
• Tiredness.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Depression.
• Headache.

More serious, but less common side effects include:

• Problems with the heart valves.
• Gallstones.
• Diabetes.
• Liver damage.

It's important to know which medicines you're taking. Write down the names of your medicines and ask your care team how they work and what side effects they might have.

Talk with your doctors about what signs to look for and when to call them. For example, some medicines can cause nausea and vomiting, which can be treated. Make sure you know what number to use to contact your doctor with questions. Is there a different number for evenings and weekends and holidays?

It may be helpful to keep a diary of your side effects. Write down any changes you notice: physical, thinking, and emotional changes. A written list will make it easier for you to remember your questions when you go to your appointments. It will also make it easier for you to work with your care team to make a plan to manage side effects.