Bromocriptine (By mouth)

Bromocriptine (broe-moe-KRIP-teen)

Treats menstrual problems, growth hormone overproduction, Parkinson disease, and pituitary tumors. Also used to stop breast milk production and treat type 2 diabetes.

Brand Name(s):

Cycloset, Parlodel

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to bromocriptine or similar medicines, or if you are breastfeeding. Do not use Cycloset® if you have fainting migraine headaches or if you have recently given birth (postpartum). Postpartum women with a history of heart or blood vessel disease should not use this medicine.

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Take Cycloset® within 2 hours after you wake up in the morning.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose of Cycloset®, skip the missed dose and wait until the next morning to take it.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how bromocriptine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Isometheptene, metoclopramide, octreotide, phenylpropanolamine, probenecid, sumatriptan
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Insulin or other diabetes medicines
  • Medicine to treat an infection (including chloramphenicol, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, sulfonamides)
  • Medicine to treat mental health problems (including clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, pimozide, ziprasidone, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes)
  • Phenothiazine medicine (including chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine)
  • Protease inhibitor medicine to treat HIV infection
  • Salicylates (including aspirin)
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy when used with Parlodel®. Use another form of birth control (including condoms or spermicide) along with your pills. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, high or low blood pressure, lung disease, stomach ulcers or bleeding, or a history of heart attack, stroke, seizures, or mental health problems. Tell your doctor if you have galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Lung problems
  • Stomach or bowel bleeding
  • Retroperitoneal fibrosis
  • Increased risk for skin cancer
  • Unusual thoughts or behaviors, including an urge to gamble or spend money, or an increased sex drive
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you first start taking this medicine, if your dose is increased, or if you drink alcohol.
• It may take 2 to 3 weeks before this medicine begins to work and your symptoms improve.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, back pain, swelling of your feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Confusion, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• Fever, sweating, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting
• Severe stomach pain, vomiting, black or tarry stools
• Skin changes or growths
• Sudden or severe headache, vision changes, seizures

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, nausea, upset stomach
• Headache
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Tiredness or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 4/23/2024