What is bromocriptine?
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bromocriptine?
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
ergotamine (Ergomar), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine
(Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Bromocriptine may contain lactose. Before taking this medication, tell your
doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, or
glucose-galactose malabsorption.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take bromocriptine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
heart disease or a history of heart attack,
-
high blood pressure;
-
liver disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
a stomach ulcer or history of stomach or intestinal
bleeding; or
-
a history of mental illness or psychosis.
Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant while taking
bromocriptine.
Some women take bromocriptine in order to normalize menstrual periods and increase their
chances of becoming pregnant. Tell your doctor as soon as you become pregnant. You will most
likely need to stop taking the medication at that time.
Bromocriptine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, a brain tumor can
expand during pregnancy. Hypertension (high blood pressure) can also occur during pregnancy and
bromocriptine could be dangerous if taken by a pregnant woman with high blood pressure.
If you are not taking this medication to help you get pregnant, use a non-hormone method
of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking
bromocriptine. Your doctor may also want you to have a pregnancy test every 4 weeks during
treatment.
You may not be able to take bromocriptine just after having a baby if you have a history of
severe heart disease or coronary artery disease. Talk with your doctor about your specific situation.
Bromocriptine lowers the hormone needed to produce breast milk. Do not take this
medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take bromocriptine?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or
for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take bromocriptine with food, even if you take it at bedtime.
It is important to use bromocriptine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription
refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood
may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your heart, blood pressure, vision, kidney function, or liver
function may also need to be checked. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
Store bromocriptine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of bromocriptine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about bromocriptine?
Your pharmacist has information about bromocriptine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of bromocriptine?
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, dizzziness, 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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about bromocriptine?
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.
What should I avoid while taking bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful
if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of pramipexole.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What other drugs will affect bromocriptine?
Many drugs can interact with bromocriptine. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you
are using:
-
metoclopramide (Reglan);
-
an antidepressant;
-
an antibiotic;
-
anti-malaria drugs;
-
asthma or allergy medication;
-
cancer medicine;
-
cholesterol-lowering drugs such as simvastatin (Zocor);
-
diabetes medication taken by mouth;
-
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar),
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or
methylergonovine (Methergine);
-
heart or blood pressure medications;
-
heart rhythm medication;
-
HIV or AIDS medications;
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;
-
medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;
-
a sedative or narcotic medication; or
-
seizure medications.
This list is not complete and there are many other
medicines that can interact with bromocriptine.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription
and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a
list of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats
you.
What happens if I have an overdose of bromocriptine?
