Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Parlodel

Generic Name: bromocriptine (Pronunciation: BROE moe KRIP teen)

• What is bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• What are the possible side effects of bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• How should I take bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Parlodel)?
• What happens if I overdose (Parlodel)?
• What should I avoid while taking bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• What other drugs will affect bromocriptine (Parlodel)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is bromocriptine (Parlodel)?

Bromocriptine is in a group of drugs called dopamine receptor agonists. It has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.

Bromocriptine also reduces your levels of prolactin, a hormone that is released from the pituitary gland.

Bromocriptine is used to treat certain conditions caused by a hormone imbalance in which there is too much prolactin in the blood (also called hyperprolactinemia). Signs of too much prolactin in the body include lack of sexual development in adolescents. Women may have missed menstrual periods, loss of interest in sex, hot flashes, infertility, or unexpected breast milk production and leakage from the nipples. Men may have enlarged breasts, decreased libido, decreased facial or body hair, and loss of muscle.

Bromocriptine is also used to treat these disorders when they are caused by brain tumors that can produce prolactin.

Bromocriptine is sometimes used together with surgery or radiation in treating acromegaly, a condition caused by a pituitary gland tumor that produces too much growth hormone.

Bromocriptine is also used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.

Bromocriptine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Bromocriptine 2.5 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M 42

Bromocriptine 5 mg-MYL

brown/white, imprinted with MYLAN 7096

Parlodel 2.5 mg

round, white, imprinted with PARLODEL 2 1/2

Parlodel 5 mg

brown/white, imprinted with PARLODEL 5 mg, S

What are the possible side effects of bromocriptine (Parlodel)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you are taking bromocriptine to treat high prolactin levels caused by a tumor, notify your doctor if you experience persistent, watery, nasal discharge.

Stop using bromocriptine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert;
• confusion, hallucinations;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure);
• sudden headache, numbness or weakness, or problems with vision;
• pain when you breathe, fast heart rate, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down);
• pain in your chest, on your left side, or behind your breastbone;
• back pain, swelling in your ankles or feet, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• runny nose, unusual taste in your mouth;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild headache, dizziness, tired feeling, mild drowsiness;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• cold feeling or numbness in your fingers; or
• dry mouth, stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about bromocriptine (Parlodel)?

Some people taking bromocriptine have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to bromocriptine, or if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), hypertension caused by pregnancy, including eclampsia and preeclampsia, or if you are allergic to any type of ergot medicine such as Ergomar, D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray Ergotrate, or Methergine.

Before you take bromocriptine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or a history of heart attack, high blood pressure, hereditary galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption, liver or kidney disease, a stomach ulcer, a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, a history of mental illness or psychosis, or if you are planning to become pregnant while taking bromocriptine.

Tell your doctor right away if you do become pregnant while taking bromocriptine.

Do not breast-feed a baby while taking this medication.

Take bromocriptine with food, even if you take it at bedtime.