Bromocriptine (oral route)

Cycloset, Parlodel

Bromocriptine belongs to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. Bromocriptine blocks the release of a hormone called prolactin from the pituitary gland. Prolactin affects the menstrual cycle and milk production. Bromocriptine is used to treat certain menstrual problems (eg, amenorrhea) in women and stops milk production in some men and women who have abnormal milk leakage. It is also used to treat infertility in both men and women that occurs because the body is making too much prolactin. Bromocriptine is also used to treat acromegaly (overproduction of growth hormone) and pituitary prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland). Bromocriptine is also used to treat the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease, often in combination with levodopa. Bromocriptine is also used together with proper diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bromocriptine to treat acromegaly, Parkinson's disease, and type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bromocriptine in children 16 years of age and older with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 16 years of age. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bromocriptine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults and are more likely to have confusion, hallucinations, or uncontrolled body movements, and age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving bromocriptine. Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: