Most clinical trials to date have demonstrated the effectiveness of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine in suppressing the onset of puerperal lactation and confirmed the postulative mechanism of action by suppression of serum prolactin concentrations during its administration. The present study involving 112 patients was carried out to demonstrate the dose response and the timing of the administration. The drug was administered in two dose schedules of 1 mg t.i.d. and 2.5 mg b.i.d. commencing immediately after delivery and continued for 14 days. A third group of patients had 2.5 mg administered b.i.d. only after acute engorgement became a problem in the post-partum period. The drug was just as effective in the lower dose schedule and almost complete relief of pain and engorgement spared both the patient and the nursing staff many complaints. A dramatic relief was also obtained within 48 h even after engorgement had occurred and an overall incidence of rebound filling of 19% is similar to that reported by others.