Bromocriptine

What is bromocriptine used for?

• Bromocriptine is used to treat acromegaly.
• It is used to treat high prolactin levels.
• Bromocriptine is also used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• It is used to treat some prolactin-secreting tumors.
• Bromocriptine may be given to you for other reasons. Talk to your doctor.

Before taking bromocriptine, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to bromocriptine; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with bromocriptine, like certain drugs that are used for mental or mood problems, migraines, or stomach or bowel problems. There are many drugs that must not be taken with bromocriptine.
• If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
• If you have just had a baby.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take bromocriptine.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with bromocriptine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take bromocriptine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take bromocriptine?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take bromocriptine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how bromocriptine affects you.
• If you have ever felt sleepy or have fallen asleep all of a sudden when taking bromocriptine, avoid doing tasks or actions that may not be safe for you or others if you pass out. These are driving, climbing, and swimming.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have been taking bromocriptine for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop bromocriptine.
• Some people who took bromocriptine to treat acromegaly had bleeding from the stomach or bowel ulcers. Sometimes this has been deadly. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, use a non-hormone kind of birth control like a condom when taking bromocriptine. You may need to also have pregnancy tests while taking bromocriptine.

Parkinson's disease:

• The chance of a type of skin cancer called melanoma may be raised in people with Parkinson's disease. It is not known if bromocriptine may also raise the chance. Have skin exams while you take bromocriptine. Talk with your doctor.

How is bromocriptine best taken?

Use bromocriptine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with food to prevent an upset stomach.
• Keep taking bromocriptine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of bromocriptine that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

For all uses of bromocriptine:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Falling asleep during activities such as eating or talking.
• Back pain.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Seizures.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Feeling confused.
• Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).

Parkinson's disease:

• Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.

What are some other side effects of bromocriptine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Constipation.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Trouble sleeping.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out bromocriptine?

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about bromocriptine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take bromocriptine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to bromocriptine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.