BROMOCRIPTINE
About
BROMOCRIPTINE belongs to a class of drugs called ergot derivatives used to treat a brain-related problem, i.e., Parkinson's disease. BROMOCRIPTINE helps stop breast milk production soon after stillbirth, abortion, miscarriage, or even after delivery if you do not want to breastfeed your baby once you have started. BROMOCRIPTINE can also be used in monotherapy and other medication to treat acromegaly, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's disease.
BROMOCRIPTINE contains Bromocriptine, which increases the brain chemical called dopamine, decreasing the amount of prolactin released. It also decreases the release of growth hormone in the body, which treats diseases acromegaly (increased growth hormone levels). Additionally, it reduces insulin resistance, improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increases dopamine level, thereby preventing Parkinson's disease.
Like all medicines, BROMOCRIPTINE can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. You may experience headache, dizziness, drowsiness feeling and being sick constipation blocked nose in some cases. Most of these side effects of BROMOCRIPTINE are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take BROMOCRIPTINE if you have uncontrolled hypertension, known hypersensitivity to dopamine derivatives, and heart disease as it is known to contraindicate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or having kidney or liver problems. BROMOCRIPTINE should not be used in children below the age of 16 years. Also, try other forms of contraception as the hormonal conditions may not be adequate. Regular blood pressure monitoring is required while you take BROMOCRIPTINE.
Uses of BROMOCRIPTINE
Medicinal Benefits
BROMOCRIPTINE contains Bromocriptine, which reduces the prolactin level in your blood and reduces the effects you have encountered. It works by increasing the brain chemical called dopamine, which decreases the amount of prolactin released. It also decreases the release of growth hormone in the body, which treats diseases acromegaly (increased growth hormone levels). Besides this, BROMOCRIPTINE can also be used to treat other conditions caused by hormonal disruption, leading to high prolactin production levels. This includes lack of periods, infrequent and very light menstruation, periods when there is no ovulation, and without breastfeeding, the secretion of milk from your breast, even in conditions where high prolactin levels are caused by unknown causes (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia) or pituitary gland tumors in both men and women. It is also used to treat Parkinson's disease by increasing dopamine levels and using a diet and exercise and sometimes with other medications to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of BROMOCRIPTINE
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Blocked nose
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
BROMOCRIPTINE should not be taken if you are allergic to dopamine agonist or any of the ingredients of BROMOCRIPTINE. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor. BROMOCRIPTINE is not recommended in children below 16 years of age. Do not take BROMOCRIPTINE if you have or ever had uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease (like congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction) as it is known to contra-indicate. Inform your doctor if you have sugar (glucose) and ketones (a type of chemical) in your pee, severe kidney or liver disease, often get urinary tract infection, mental illness, low blood pressure, ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines, Raynaud's syndrome (a condition in which the hands and feet become numb and cool when exposed to cold temperatures). Regular blood pressure monitoring is required during treatment with BROMOCRIPTINE. If you have galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, tell your doctor before taking BROMOCRIPTINE. It may cause symptomatic hypotension (dizziness, nausea, sweating, and fainting) when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking BROMOCRIPTINE or when your dose is increased. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: BROMOCRIPTINE interacts with other dopamine agonists (cabergoline, levodopa, pergolide, ropinirole), ergot-type medications (dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, methysergide) antidiabetic drugs (glimepiride, glipizide), diuretics (furosemide), medicines used to control seizures (haloperidol, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), a medicine used to treat mental illness (clozapine, olanzapine, imipramine), a medicine used to treat HIV infection (efavirenz, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir), antibiotic (rifampicin, chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, erythromycin), a medicine used to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood (cholestyramine), blood thinner (dabigatran) medicines used for certain heart problems (digoxin), antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: BROMOCRIPTINE may interact with household sugar and cause abdominal discomfort and stomach upset. Therefore one should avoid consuming foods rich in sugar. Additionally, BROMOCRIPTINE interacts with St. John’s wort (a herbal medicine to treat depression).
Drug-Disease Interactions: People affected with heart diseases (like congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction), have sugar (glucose) and ketones (a type of chemical) in your pee, severe kidney or liver disease, often get urinary tract infection, mental illness, low blood pressure, ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines, Raynaud's syndrome (a condition in which the hands and feet become numb and cool when exposed to cold temperatures) and alcoholism should avoid intake of BROMOCRIPTINE.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeBROMOCRIPTINE is known to cause dizziness. So, intake of alcohol along with BROMOCRIPTINE should not be done.
Pregnancy
cautionBROMOCRIPTINE is a Category B pregnancy drug and is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. However, it is not recommended in a pregnant women with high blood pressure as it could be dangerous.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBROMOCRIPTINE will stop you from producing milk for your baby, you should not take this medicine if you plan to breast-feed.
Driving
cautionBROMOCRIPTINE is known to cause dizziness. So, driving or any machinery which requires concentration should be avoided.
Liver
cautionBROMOCRIPTINE to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionBROMOCRIPTINE to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionBROMOCRIPTINE should not be used in females below the age of 16 years. It can be fatal.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with BROMOCRIPTINE as it can make you feel dizzy and dehydrated and may affect your sleep.
- Monitor your blood sugar level as it is known to lower blood prolactin levels.
- Quit smoking as smoking increases the heart rate and may progress a heart ailment.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet, include plenty of fluids, vegetables, proteins, fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It will also help to reduce weight and lowers the risk of a heart attack.
- Regular exercise keeps the mind thoughtful and lowers your stress level, thus lowering the prolactin level.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure, kidney, and liver function test regularly.
- You should have a test of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) every 3 months to check your blood glucose level control.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperprolactinemia: It is a condition in which a person has higher-than-normal levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood. It causes infertility, decreased sex drive, and bone loss. Also, women may have vaginal dryness, leading to pain during intercourse, menstruation problems, having no periods or irregular periods, and breast milk production when not pregnant or nursing. Erectile dysfunction-trouble getting or keeping an erection and Breast enlargement, and decreased muscle mass and body hair may be observed in men.
Acromegaly: It is a disorder in which too much growth hormone is made, which causes people to be very tall or to have a large face, hands, and feet.
Parkinson's disease: It is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement due to damage of nerve cells in the brain which reduces the levels of dopamine and leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremor in one hand, shaking, and difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance.
Diabetes mellitus 2: Adult-onset diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is type 2 diabetes and occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to have the energy (insulin resistance), or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produces little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people aged above 40 years, but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors.
FAQs
BROMOCRIPTINE is used to treat Parkinson's disease, high prolactin disorder, acromegaly, and type 2 diabetes.
BROMOCRIPTINE contains Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist which works by increasing the brain chemical called dopamine, which decreases the amount of prolactin released and also decreases the growth hormone. It also improves insulin resistance and treats type 2 diabetes.
No, BROMOCRIPTINE should not be taken empty stomach as it may cause nausea and vomiting. So, to avoid these side-effects take it with food or just after a meal.
BROMOCRIPTINE is only prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
Your doctor may advise BROMOCRIPTINE with or without other medications to control your blood sugar levels. However, it is recommended to maintain a proper diet and exercise to achieve controlled blood sugar levels while using BROMOCRIPTINE with or without other antidiabetic drugs.
No, BROMOCRIPTINE does not cure Parkinson’s disease. BROMOCRIPTINE is only used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
In elderly patients, the risk of side effects is more if you are taking BROMOCRIPTINE. For the patients who are elderly, dose adjustment might be required, or your doctor might prescribe any other medication safe for the elderly.