Highlights for bromocriptine
- Bromocriptine oral tablets are available as generic and brand name medications.Brand names: ParlodelAndCycloset.
- Bromocriptine comes in two forms: an oral tablet and an oral capsule.
- The generic form of oral bromocriptine tablet and the brand-name version Parlodel are used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. They are also used to treat symptoms of other conditions caused by very high levels of certain hormones. The branded version Cycloset is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Fatigue warning:You may suddenly become drowsy or fall asleep without warning while taking bromocriptine. Avoid driving or using machines until you know how this drug affects you.
- Low Blood Pressure Warning:When you first start bromocriptine, you may experience episodes of low blood pressure, which can cause dizziness or fainting. These episodes are more common when you get up after sitting or lying down. This is calledorthostatic hypotonia. To avoid this, move slowly when changing positions.
- Heart Attack, Stroke, or Seizure Warning:In some cases, bromocriptine can cause heart attack, stroke, or seizures. The risk may be higher in women who have just given birth and are taking this drug to reduce the amount of milk they produce. It can also be higher in people with high blood pressure that isn't well managed.
- Compulsive Behavior Warning:Bromocriptine can produce an intense urge to gamble, spend money, or binge eat. It can also cause increased sexual urges or other intense urges. You may not be able to control these urges. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these urges.
- Warning after childbirth (recently born a child):Bromocriptine can cause serious and life-threatening problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, seizures, stroke, and psychosis. If you have recently given birth, you should not take this medication.
Bromocriptine is a prescription drug. It comes in the form of a tablet and a capsule that you take orally.
Bromocriptine oral tablets are available as brand-name drugs Parlodel and Cycloset.
It is also available as a generic. Generic drugs usually cost less than branded versions. In some cases, the brand name medication and the generic version may come in different forms and strengths.
Oral bromocriptine tablets are often used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. It can also be used in combination with surgery or radiation to treat certain conditions.
Why it is used
Bromocriptine oral tablets are used to treat various medical conditions. The condition it treats depends on the form of the drug.
Parlodel and generic bromocriptine oral tablet:These forms are used to reduce the symptoms ofParkinson's disease, but they don't cure it.
They also treat some conditions caused by high levels of certain hormones in the body, including prolactin and growth hormone. Bromocriptine lowers these hormone levels, which in turn treats the disorders.
Oral Cycloset Tablet:This form is used to control blood sugar levels in people withTyp 2 Diabetes.
How it works
Bromocriptine belongs to a class of drugs called ergot derivatives. A drug class is a group of drugs that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Bromocriptine works in different ways depending on the condition it is used to treat.
Parlodel and its generic form:
- Bromocriptine stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain. This helps reduce the symptoms ofParkinson's diseaseand otherParkinson's diseases.
- Bromocriptine reduces the amount of the hormone prolactin that the body produces. Lowering the level of this hormone helps in treatmentGalaktorrhoe(excessive lactation or milk production) orinfertility. It also helps with treatmentHypogonadism(a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone).
- Bromocriptine lowers growth hormone levels in the body. This will help with treatmentAcromegaly, a condition that causes excessive growth of the hands, feet, and face. However, some healthcare professionals are no longer using bromocriptine for acromegaly in clinical practice.
Cycloset:
- Cycloset lowers your blood sugar levels by increasing the effects of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that sends messages between cells. Dopamine levels are often low in people with type 2 diabetes. By jump-starting dopamine, Cycloset helps the body convert blood sugar into energy more effectively.
Bromocriptine oral tablets may cause dizziness and drowsiness for the first few hours after ingestion. This happens more often when you first start treatment with the drug. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you experience extreme sleepiness while taking this medicine.
Bromocriptine can also cause other side effects.
More common side effects
Some of the more common side effects that can occur with the use of bromocriptine include:
- nausea
- Headache
- stomach upset
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- to feel weak
- fainting
- Sudden falling asleep (most common in treatment for Parkinson's disease)
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a few weeks. If they get more severe or don't go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
- Heart attack. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- Upper body discomfort
- stroke. Symptoms can include:
- weakness in a part or side of your body
- slurred speech
- pulmonary fibrosis(scarring in the lungs). Symptoms can include:
- difficulty breathing
- Cough
- fatigue
- unexplained weight loss
- aching muscles or joints
- Changes in the shape of your fingers or toes
Disclaimer:Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. However, because medicines affect everyone differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information does not replace medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a doctor who knows your medical history.
Bromocriptine oral tablet may interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.
An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To avoid interactions, your doctor should carefully manage all your medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you are taking. To find out how this medication might interact with something else you're taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with bromocriptine are listed below.
Antibiotics
When used with bromocriptine, certain antibiotics can increase the amount of bromocriptine in your body. This increases your risk of side effects from bromocriptine. Examples of these drugs are:
- Erythromycin
- Clarithromycin
HIV medication
When used with bromocriptine, certain medicines used to treat HIV, called protease inhibitors, can increase the amount of bromocriptine in your body. This increases your risk of side effects from bromocriptine. Examples of protease inhibitors are:
- Ritonavir
- Lopinavir
- Saquinavir
psychotropic drugs
When used with bromocriptine, certain drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders may make bromocriptine less effective. This means it may not work well to treat your condition. Examples of these psychotropic drugs are:
- Haloperidol
- Pimozid
other drugs
Metoclopramideused to treat various conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Using this medicine with bromocriptine may make bromocriptine less effective. This means it may not work well to treat your condition.
Takeergot related drugs,B. ergotamine and dihydroergotamine, together with bromocriptine can increase nausea, vomiting and tiredness.
It can also make these ergot-related medications less effective when used to treat migraines. Ergot-related drugs should not be taken within 6 hours of taking bromocriptine.
Disclaimer:Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. However, because medications affect everyone differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information does not replace medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and dietary supplements, and over-the-counter medicines you are taking.
This drug comes with several warnings.
Allergy Alert
Bromocriptine can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- skin rash
- swelling of the tongue or throat
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away.If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Do not take this drug again if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Re-administration could be fatal (cause death).
Alcohol interaction warning
Bromocriptine can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Drinking alcohol containing beverages while taking this medicine can make these symptoms worse.
Warnings for people with certain health problems
For people with liver disease:It's not known how safe or effective bromocriptine is for people with liver disease. Talk to your doctor about whether it's safe for you to take this medication.
For people with kidney disease:It's not known how safe or effective bromocriptine is for people with kidney disease. Talk to your doctor about whether it's safe for you to take this medication.
For people with a history of psychosis:Bromocriptine can aggravate psychotic states. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
For people with a history of cardiovascular disease:Bromocriptine can make this condition worse. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
For people with certain sugar intolerances:You should not take bromocriptine if you have certain types of sugar intolerance. These include galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, or problems absorbing certain types of sugar.
Warnings for other groups
For pregnant women: Parlodelis contraindicated in pregnancy. The manufacturer of Parlodel states that Parlodel should be discontinued if pregnancy occurs. In some cases, treatment with Parlodel can be restarted during pregnancy to control a rapidly spreading macroadenoma.
If you develop a hypertensive pregnancy disorder during treatment with Parlodel, the benefit of continued Parlodel treatment must be weighed against the potential risk of use during hypertensive pregnancy disorder.
You should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking Parlodel during pregnancy.
Cycloset (the other brand name) and the generic bromocriptine do not carry the same warning.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Animal testing does not always predict how humans would react. Therefore, this drug should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
For postpartum people:Bromocriptine can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, seizures, stroke, and psychosis. If you have recently given birth to a child, you should not take this medication.
For caregivers:Bromocriptine can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a breastfed child. Bromocriptine should not be used by nursing parents.
For children:Parlodel and generic bromocriptine have not been proven to be safe or effective to treat most medical conditions in children under the age of 11.
Cycloset has not been shown to be safe or effective for use in children under 16 years of age.
All possible dosages and dosage forms may not be included here. Your dosage, form of administration, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the disease to be treated
- the severity of your condition
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Dosage for hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders
Generic:Bromocriptine
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Marke:Parlodel
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Dosage for adults (16 years and older)
- Typical starting dose:Half to 1 tablet (1.25-2.5 mg) once daily.
- Increasing the dosage:Your doctor may increase your dose by 1 tablet every 2 to 7 days until your condition is controlled.
- Typical daily dose:2.5-15 mg once daily (in 2.5 or 5 mg tablets).
Dosage for children (ages 11-15 years)
Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor is the only condition that bromocriptine has been studied to treat in children under 16 years of age. Clinical trials in adults support the use of bromocriptine in children 11-15 years of age for the treatment of this condition.
- Typical starting dose:Half to 1 tablet (1.25-2.5 mg) once daily.
- Increasing the dosage:Your doctor may increase your child's dosage as needed.
- Typical daily dose:2.5-10 mg once daily.
Dosage for children (0-10 years)
Bromocriptine has not been confirmed to be safe and effective in treating hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders in individuals younger than 11 years of age.
Dosage for Acromegaly
Generic:Bromocriptine
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Marke:Parlodel
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Dosage for adults (16 years and older)
- Typical starting dose:Half to 1 tablet (1.25-2.5 mg) once daily at bedtime for the first three days.
- Increasing the dosage:Your doctor may increase your dose every 3 to 7 days as needed.
- Typical daily dose:20-30 mg once daily.
- Maximum daily dose:100 mg once a day.
Dosage for children (age 0-15 years)
Bromocriptine has not been confirmed to be safe and effective for people under the age of 16 in the treatment of acromegaly.
Dosage for Parkinson's disease
Generic:Bromocriptine
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Marke:Parlodel
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:2,5mg
Dosage for adults (16 years and older)
- Typical starting dose:Half a tablet (1.25 mg) twice daily with meals.
- Increasing the dosage:Your doctor may increase your dose by 1 tablet every 14 to 28 days if needed.
- Maximum daily dose:100 mg once a day.
Dosage for children (age 0-15 years)
Bromocriptine has not been proven to be safe or effective in treating Parkinson's disease in people under the age of 16.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
Marke:Cycloset
- Form:oral Tablet
- Strength:0.8 mg
Dosage for adults (16 years and older)
- Typical starting dose:One 0.8 mg tablet taken once daily with food within 2 hours of waking up in the morning.
- Increasing the dosage:Your doctor may increase your dose by 1 tablet once a week until you have reached the dose that is right for you.
- Typical maintenance dose:1.6-4.8 mg once daily with food within 2 hours of waking up in the morning.
- Maximum daily dose:Take 6 tablets (4.8 mg) once daily with food within 2 hours of waking up in the morning.
Dosage for children (age 0-15 years)
Cycloset has not been proven to be safe or effective for children under the age of 16.
Disclaimer:Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. However, because medications affect everyone differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information does not replace medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the right dosage for you.
Oral bromocriptine tablets are used for short- or long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don't take it as prescribed.
If you suddenly stop taking the medicine or stop taking it at all:The condition you are taking it for may not improve and may get worse.
If you miss doses or don't take the medication on time:Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, there needs to be a certain amount in your body at all times.
If you take too much:You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug may include:
- nausea
- Vomit
- constipation
- Sweat
- dizziness
- low blood pressure (with symptoms such as confusion, dizziness or blurred vision)
- extreme tiredness
- unusual yawn
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
If you think you have taken too much of this medication, call your doctor or seek advice from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or theirsOnline-Tool.But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose:Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, only take one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This can lead to dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working:The symptoms of your condition should improve.
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes bromocriptine for you.
Generally
- Bromocriptine should be taken with food. This can help reduce side effects like nausea.
- Take this medication at the times recommended by your doctor. The time of day you take bromocriptine depends on the reason you are taking it. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you when to take this medicine.
- You can cut or crush the tablet.
refills
A prescription for this drug is refillable. You should not need a new prescription to refill this drug. Your doctor will note the number of refills allowed on your prescription.
Travel
If you are traveling with your medication:
- Always carry your medication with you. Never put it in checked baggage when flying. Keep it in your hand luggage.
- Don't worry about X-ray machines at the airport. They can't harm your medication.
- You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label of your medication. Always carry the original container marked with the prescription with you.
- Do not put this medication in the glove box of your car and do not leave it in the car. Avoid doing this at all costs when the weather is very hot or very cold.
Availability
Not every pharmacy carries this drug. When you fill out your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.
Prior Approval
Many insurance companies require prior approval for this drug, especially the branded versions. This means that your doctor must obtain approval from your health insurance company before your health insurance company will pay for the prescription.
There are other medications to treat your condition. Some may suit you better than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may be right for you.
Disclaimer:Healthline has made every effort to ensure that all information is accurate, complete and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and experience of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular drug does not mean that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.