General information

The active substance of the medicine is Bromocriptine. It is a synthetic derivative of ergot alkaloid. This active substance blocks the dopamine receptors of the brain. Thus, it reduces the increment of prolactin. In addition, this active substance is a dopaminergic drug and has antidepressant effects.

The medicine should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C out of the reach of children. The medicine should be stored in a light-proof place. The period of validity of the medicine is 3 years. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date printed on the package.

Precautions

The following are the indications for drug administration:

• an additional treatment or an alternative to surgical treatment or radiation therapy for acromegaly;
• conservative treatment of prolactin-secreting micro- and macroadenomas of the pituitary gland;
• prevention or suppression of lactation in the postnatal period;
• suppression of lactation at the incipience of parturient paresis;
• prevention of lactation after abortion;
• amenorrhea (which is accompanied or not accompanied by hyperprolactinemia);
• insufficiency of the luteal phase;
• hyperprolactinemia caused by drugs (for example, some psychotropic or antihypertensive drugs);
• female infertility which is not due to hyperprolactinemia (polycystic ovarian syndrome, anovular menstruation);
• idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and post-encephalitic Parkinsonism;
• male infertility;
• mental depression.

Parlodel shows its effectiveness from the first days of therapy.

Bromocriptine Dosage

The medicine is used 2 or 3 times a day at a dosage of 1.25 mg for the treatment of female infertility and menstrual disorders. The dose is gradually increased to 5-7.5 mg per day if the effect is insufficient. Treatment continues until the menstrual cycle returns to normal.
The medicine is prescribed 1.25 mg 2-3 times per day for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia in men. The dose should be gradually increased to 5-10 mg per day.

The medicine is prescribed in a dosage of 1.25 mg 2 times a day (with meals at breakfast and dinner) to suppress lactation. Then, a woman should take 2.5 mg 2 times a day for two weeks.

The daily dose should be reduced and stopped at a lower level for at least 1 week if the patient has adverse effects.

How to take Bromocriptine?

Parlodel must be taken strictly in accordance with medical prescription.

Contraindications for the medicine include:

• hypersensitivity to the active substance or any additive agents of the medicine or other ergot alkaloids;
• uncontrolled arterial hypertension;
• hypertension during pregnancy or postpartum;
• gestational toxicosis (including preeclampsia and eclampsia);
• atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other serious vascular heart diseases;
• cerebrovascular disease in anamnesis;
• obliterating endarteritis;
• Reynaud’s syndrome;
• cranial arteritis;
• systemic infection;
• serious mental illnesses;
• tobacco abuse;
• lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.

Pregnancy

• The drug should be prescribed to pregnant women only if it is urgently needed.

Breastfeeding

• The active substance inhibits milk secretion. Therefore, the use of the medicine during breastfeeding is contraindicated. The exception is medical indications for suppressing lactation.

Important Information

The patient needs to control blood pressure during the therapy (at the beginning of treatment and then at certain intervals). The patient should immediately stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor if blood pressure rises. Also, the patient should stop taking the drug if he notes:

• vasospastic symptoms;
• symptoms of thrombosis;
• progressive or persistent headache;
• nervous system disorders.

Women need to undergo a gynecological examination (including cytology) if they use Parlodel for an extended period of time.

The medicine must be used with caution if the patient:

• is over 65 years;
• suffers from cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension, arrhythmias, history of myocardial infarction and others);
• has Parkinson’s disease (with long-term treatment with high doses of the drug);
• has liver function abnormality or severe renal failure;
• undergoes antihypertensive therapy.

Bromocriptine Side-effects

Prolonged use of the medicine may cause the following side effects:

• headache;
• nasal congestion;
• dermatological hypersensitivity reactions;
• asthenic conditions;
• tinnitus;
• an attack of tachycardia;
• confusion of consciousness;
• increased libido;
• alopecia;
• constipation;
• movement disorders;
• hallucinatory seizures;
• insomnia;
• paresthesias;
• hypotension;
• shortness of breath;
• bouts of vomiting;
• arrhythmia;
• bradycardia;
• pleural fibrosis;
• dry mouth mucosa;
• hearing impairment;
• orthostatic hypotension;
• cramps of the muscles of the lower extremities;
• sudden falling asleep;
• pleurisy;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• arterial hypertension;
• peripheral edema;
• pericardial effusion;
• epigastric pain;
• myocardial valve fibrosis;
• hypersexuality;
• myocardial infarction;
• pulmonary fibrosis;
• acute cerebrovascular accident;
• retroperitoneal fibrosis;
• mental disorders;
• pallor of the skin of the extremities;
• constrictive pericarditis.

Patients should be careful when driving or working with machinery. This causes an impaired concentration. Parlodel may cause drowsiness and dropping-off to sleep.

High doses of active substance can cause gambling problem, compulsive squandering, perennial hunger and increased libido.

Bromocriptine Overdose

Overdose of the medicine can cause the following symptoms:

• atony;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness;
• confused mental state;
• hallucinations;
• tachycardia;
• decreased blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension.

Overdose treatment includes:

• gastric lavage,
• reception recovered carbon;
• delivery of symptomatic therapy.

Interactions

The active ingredient of the medicine is a substrate and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450.

The simultaneous use of the medicne with potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 (itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, indinavir, nelfinavir and grapefruit juice) can lead to an increase bromocriptine concentration in blood plasma. The interaction of the medicine and poor inhibitors of CYP3A4 has not been studied.

The simultaneous use of the medicine with methylergometrine or other ergot alkaloids can increase the stimulating effect on dopamine receptors and cause adverse effects such as headache, nausea and vomiting.

The simultaneous use of the medicine with sympathomimetics may cause arterial hypertension and severe headache.

Alcohol interaction

Parlodel cannot be used simultaneously with alcohol. The medicine in combination with alcohol causes a feeling of heat and hot flashes. The patient may experience nausea and vomiting, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, heartbeat, heart pain and chest pain. Some patients may experience fear, anxiety, and fatigue.

Bromocriptine Reviews

Doctor’s reviews

Dr. Thompson (gynecologist): I prescribe this medicine only if it is extremely necessary. This is a hormonal medicine. So it has a very strong effect on the body. I prescribe Parlodel for women if they have excessive lactation or they want to stop breastfeeding. It helps to avoid epiphenomenon like mastitis. The medicine has serious contraindications. Many of my patients experience side effects while taking the drug. All patients should strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician. The drug cannot be taken without a doctor’s prescription. It is very important for a woman to undergo gynecological examinations at the time of taking the drug.

Dr. Jackson (neuropathologist): I prescribe Parlodel to patients with Parkinson’s disease. The drug reverse symptoms characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremor, hypokinesia, muscle rigidity and postural instability. My patients often complain of side effects. The doctor needs to choose the right dosage and the patient must strictly follow all instructions of the doctor. Doctors before prescribing the drug must necessarily examine the patient medical record. This is a hormonal drug and it has many contraindications. In addition, the drug cannot be combined with many other drugs. Therefore, it is very important to know about all the drugs that the patient is taking at the moment.

Reviews by Patients

Elizabeth: I decided to finish breast feeding when my baby was two years old. My gynecologist prescribed this medicine to me. I took two pills a day at the same time.

Lactation ended quickly but the side effects were severe. I was constantly dizzy and nauseous. In addition, the mucous membrane of the nose was very inflamed. It was hard for me to breathe. I stopped breastfeeding two weeks after starting the pills. My health returned to normal the next day after the completion of the drug.

Angie: My son is a one year and four months old. I gradually reduced breastfeeding. I completely stopped breastfeeding two weeks ago. After that I visited the gynecologist. The doctor said that lactation did not stop and prescribed this medicine to me. I took it for two weeks. There were no side effects. Then I re-visited the gynecologist. The doctor said that lactation stopped and my breasts are fine.

Jhon: I started to use this drug as an antidepressant and it actually appeared to work quite well as such. I think it is not really wise to use the pills not as intended, however if something works, it works and nothing can be added to that statement.

Marta: After a long search for a proper medicine for my disease I have finally encountered this one and this a really miraculous solution for my problem. Thanks God I have found it and now can enjoy my life same as before. Also doctors confirm that this is one of the most potent and purpose-oriented drugs whatsoever.

Paul: Expensive but working well, so nothing can really be too expensive if it is about health, am I right? Will buy it in future for sure.