Parlodel

Brand Name:Apo-Bromocriptine, PMS-Bromocriptine

Prescription needed: Yes

What is this drug used for?

Bromocriptine is used to treat a variety of medical conditions. In women, it can be used to treat amenorrhea, a condition whereby the menstrual period does not occur. It can also be used to treat women who are having difficulties getting pregnant because of ovulation problems or who are having problems with abnormal discharge of breast milk. In men, it can be used to treat hypogonadism, a condition that occurs when there is a decreased or absent secretion of hormones from the sex glands (gonads). It may also be used together with other medications to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease or to treat a condition called acromegaly, where the body produces too much growth hormone.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to bromocriptine or other drugs called ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine, methylsergide, dihydroergotamine). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

  • chest pain, heart disease or a heart attack
  • high or low blood pressure
  • problems with your kidney or liver
  • feelings of depression, anxiety, suicidal, or hallucinations
  • poor circulation in your fingers or feet
  • stomach ulcers

What about possible side effects?

The most common side effects to bromocriptine include:

  • feeling dizzy
  • feeling tired
  • stomach upset, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
  • headache
  • low blood pressure (with sitting or standing and usually at the beginning of therapy)

These side effects are related to dose and can be less if taken with food and with slow increases in dose.

Other less common and possibly severe side effects include:

  • constipation or diarrhea
  • feeling confused
  • feeling faint or fainting
  • sudden episodes of sleep – cases have been reported in people taking this medication for Parkinson’s disease
  • problems with the lungs – rare; if this occurs, it is usually associated high doses and longer-term therapy
  • a condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis – rare (if this occurs, it is usually associated with doses of greater than 30mg and longer therapy); call your doctor immediately if you notice severe back pain and/or swelling of the feet and/or ankles
  • seizures – rare; cases have bee reported in women during the postpartum period

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication, ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

Always provide your doctor with a list of all other drugs you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and herbal/natural products) as they may interact and may change the safety or effectiveness of either drug. Tell your doctor specifically if you are taking any of these drugs as these are the most common interactions and he/she may need to make changes or monitor you more closely:

  • erythromycin, clarithromycin - may increase the amount of bromocriptine in the blood
  • if you are taking medications for high blood pressure, this medication may increase your chances for side effects (e.g. low blood pressure)
  • cold and cough medications - may increase chance of side effects to bromocriptine
  • cyclosporine - may increase the amount of cyclosporine in the blood
  • domperidone - may decrease how well bromocriptine can work
  • medications for Parkinson’s disease - may increase your chances for similar side effects
  • drugs that can cause tiredness, sedation, dizziness: antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine), opioid pain medications (e.g. codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone), antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, trazodone) and antipsychotics (e.g. risperidone, haloperidol), muscle relaxants (e.g. cyclobenzaprine) drugs for epilepsy (gabapentin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, valproic acid)

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your list of medications.

Other information:

Recent childbirth: If you have recently given birth to a child and are taking this medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the potential side effects that can occur in this situation. Some severe side effects have occurred in post-partum women taking bromocriptine.

Lab Tests: Your doctor may send you for periodic blood tests to monitor your hormone levels.

Children: Not usually prescribed to young children.

Seniors: Lower doses are necessary, especially at the start of therapy, because of an increased sensitivity to side effects.

Pregnant women: Not generally recommended. Talk to your doctor.

Women who are nursing: Bromocriptine can stop milk production. Not generally recommended due the increase chance for side effects seen in women who have recently given birth. Talk to your doctor.

People who drive or operate machinery: Should not do so until they know how this drug affects them personally. It may cause you to feel dizzy or drowsy.

Alcohol: Avoid alcohol as it increases the risk of confusion and can add to the feeling of drowsiness that may come as a result of using this drug.

Overdose: If you experience any unusual reactions or if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage, call your doctor or 911.

Stopping the drug: If you stop taking this drug, underlying symptoms may recur. Talk to your doctor first.

If you miss a dose: If you take this drug only once a day at bedtime and don’t remember it until the following morning, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Those who take bromocriptine several times a day should take the missed dose as soon as they remember it unless it is almost time to take the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose of this medicine.

Storage conditions: Closed container; cool, dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom) and direct light; always out of reach of children.

Dietary precautions: Take with food to decrease chance for side effects.