Bromocriptine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
• It is used to treat some hormone (prolactin) secreting tumors and acromegaly.
• It is used for females who do not have a menstrual cycle but should or who have too much milk flowing because of this hormone called prolactin.

How does it work?

• When used in Parkinson's disease, bromocriptine causes an increase of a chemical called dopamine in the brain.
• It also prevents prolactin secretion in these other diseases.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Take at bedtime to decrease nausea.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel sleepy and shaky.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have severe blood flow problems to the heart or legs. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills and stimulants. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are using this medicine for Parkinson's disease, other medicines may need dosage changes.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Inability to sleep. Take at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
• Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal or supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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