bromocriptine (Parlodel)

What is the most important information I should know about Parlodel?

Parlodel may cause you to fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Avoid driving or other hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What is bromocriptine (Parlodel)?

This medication guide provides information about the Parlodel brand of bromocriptine. Cycloset is another brand of bromocriptine that is not covered in this medication guide.

The Parlodel brand of bromocriptine is used to treat certain conditions caused by a hormone imbalance in which there is too much prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinemia). High prolactin levels may cause sexual problems, hot flashes, menstrual problems or infertility in women, muscle loss in men, breast enlargement in men and women, and lack of sexual development in adolescents. Parlodel is also used to treat these disorders when they are caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that can overproduce prolactin.

Parlodel is sometimes used together with surgery or radiation in treating acromegaly, a condition caused by a pituitary gland tumor that produces too much growth hormone.

Parlodel is also used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.

Bromocriptine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Parlodel?

• you are breastfeeding;
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
• you have hypertension caused by pregnancy (including eclampsia and preeclampsia); or
• you recently had a baby and you have a history of coronary artery disease or severe heart disease.

Bromocriptine may contain lactose. Before taking Parlodel, tell your doctor if you have a hereditary form of galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart attack;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a tumor of the pituitary gland;
• a stomach ulcer, stomach or intestinal bleeding; or
• mental illness or psychosis.

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. A pituitary tumor in the mother can expand during pregnancy. High blood pressure can also occur during pregnancy and bromocriptine could be dangerous if taken by a pregnant woman with high blood pressure.

Some women take Parlodel in order to normalize menstrual periods and increase their chances of becoming pregnant. Tell your doctor as soon as you become pregnant. You may need to stop taking Parlodel.

If you are not taking Parlodel to help you get pregnant, use a barrier form of birth control (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy during treatment. Your doctor may also want you to have a pregnancy test every 4 weeks during treatment.

How should I take Parlodel?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

You should not stop using Parlodel suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine with food as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Parlodel?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

What are the possible side effects of Parlodel?

• numbness, pain, and paleness or discoloration in your fingers or toes (especially in cold weather);
• vision problems, constant runny nose;
• chest pain, pain when you breathe, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down);
• back pain, swelling in your ankles or feet, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• confusion, hallucinations, feeling like you might pass out;
• muscle movements you cannot control, loss of balance or coordination; or
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness;
• headache;
• hallucinations;
• nausea, constipation; or
• abnormal involuntary movements.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Parlodel?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Parlodel, especially medicines to treat:

• migraine headaches;
• infections;
• psychotic conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia;
• Parkinson's disease;
• restless leg syndrome; or
• acromegaly (too much growth hormone).

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Parlodel. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Parlodel can make certain migraine headache medicines less effective when taken at the same time. Avoid taking Parlodel within 6 hours before or 6 hours after you take an ergot headache medicine (such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine).

Many other drugs can interact with bromocriptine. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• an antidepressant, a sedative or opioid medication, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medication, anti-malaria drugs;
• asthma or allergy medication;
• cancer medicine, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;
• cholesterol-lowering drugs such as simvastatin (Zocor);
• an oral diabetes medication;
• heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medication;
• HIV or AIDS medications;
• seizure medications;
• sildenafil (Viagra) and other erectile dysfunction medicines; or
• stomach acid reducers.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about bromocriptine (Parlodel).