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Overview: Bromocriptine is used for type 2 diabetes, problems due to high prolactin levels, acromegaly, and Parkinson's disease. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and dry mouth. You should not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how bromocriptine affects you. Call your healthcare provider right away if your vision gets blurry or you feel like you are going to faint.

Uses

What is bromocriptine used for?

Bromocriptine is commonly used for the following conditions.

Bromocriptine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does bromocriptine work (mechanism of action)?

For diabetes, bromocriptine improves how your body uses insulin (without increasing insulin levels) to help lower blood sugar.

For conditions related to high levels of prolactin, bromocriptine lowers prolactin levels.

For acromegaly, bromocriptine lowers growth hormone levels.

For Parkinson’s disease, bromocriptine acts like dopamine in your brain to improve movement problems.

How is bromocriptine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Cycloset
  • Parlodel 

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg oral tablets
  • 5 mg oral capsules

How should I store bromocriptine?

Bromocriptine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool and dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of bromocriptine?

The most common side effects of bromocriptine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and constipation
  • Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling drowsy, or being tired
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Dry mouth
  • Stuffy nose or congestion
  • Low blood pressure (see below)
  • Trouble breathing
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Trouble with balance or coordination

There may be other side effects of bromocriptine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of bromocriptine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of bromocriptine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Bromocriptine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking bromocriptine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble in swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Blood Pressure. Bromocriptine may cause hypotension, including a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position (orthostatic hypotension). To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Hypotension may be more likely if you take blood pressure medicine, when you first start taking bromocriptine, or when your dose is increased. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Unusual or Compulsive Behaviors. Bromocriptine can cause some people to have strong unusual and uncontrolled urges (compulsions), including gambling, sex, shopping, or eating. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you or someone you know notices that you have new or worsening strong urges or behaviors.

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Bromocriptine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how bromocriptine affects you.

After Childbirth. Bromocriptine should not be taken after childbirth. Serious problems, some which can lead to death, can occur. These include high blood pressure, heart attack, seizures, stroke, and psychotic-like behaviors. These problems may be more common if you have heart disease. Tell your healthcare provider if you recently gave birth.

Fluid Around the Heart or Lungs. Bromocriptine can rarely cause fluid to build up around your lungs (pleural effusion) or your heart (pericardial effusion). This is more likely with high doses or after taking it for a long time. Both of these can be dangerous, and a healthcare provider may need to drain the fluid. Tell your healthcare provider or get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping a beat) or a fast heartbeat

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use bromocriptine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use bromocriptine products.

  • Bromocriptine
  • Parlodel
  • Cycloset
  • Any other medicine known as an ergot alkaloid
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bromocriptine products they stock.

Fainting With Migraines. Some forms of bromocriptine should not be taken if you have migraine headaches and you have fainted with a migraine before. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever fainted during a migraine headache.

Poorly Controlled High Blood Pressure. Some forms of bromocriptine should not be taken if your blood pressure is not controlled.

After Giving Birth. Bromocriptine should generally not be taken by people who have just given birth. Tell your healthcare provider if you just had a baby.

Breastfeeding. Do not take bromocriptine if you are breastfeeding. See the Breastfeeding section for more details.

What should I know about bromocriptine before using it?

Do not take bromocriptine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share bromocriptine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep bromocriptine out of the reach of children.

Take bromocriptine with food to decrease the chance it will upset your stomach.

If you take bromocriptine for diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems. Also, keep in mind that certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using bromocriptine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if bromocriptine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Migraine headaches
  • Fainting episodes
  • Blood pressure problems or if you take medicine to lower your blood pressure
  • Mental health problems, especially psychotic-like behavior
  • Compulsive behaviors or problems with impulse control
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Ulcers or bleeding in your stomach or intestines

Other Medicines and Supplements. Bromocriptine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking bromocriptine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bromocriptine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take bromocriptine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not take bromocriptine if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if bromocriptine passes into breast milk. Taking bromocriptine soon after childbirth can lead to serious problems. Bromocriptine can also reduce the amount of milk your body makes. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does bromocriptine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between bromocriptine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bromocriptine. The risk of dizziness, lightheadedness, and confusion may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking bromocriptine.

Does bromocriptine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking bromocriptine.

  • A dopamine agonist, such as pramipexole (Mirapex ER), ropinirole, rotigotine (Neupro), or apomorphine (Apokyn), which is a medicine that may be used for Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome (RLS)
  • Haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or ziprasidone (Geodon), which is used for certain mental health conditions 
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra DS, others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Zonisamide (Zonegran and other), which is a medicine used for seizures
  • Haloperidol (Halol), chlorpromazine, or thiothixene, which is used for certain mental health conditions
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir (Norvir) or nelfinavir (Viracept), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • An ergot, such as ergotamine (Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (Migranal or Trudhesa), which is a medicine used to treat migraine
  • A triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of bromocriptine. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with bromocriptine. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much bromocriptine?

If you or someone else has taken too much bromocriptine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of bromocriptine?

If you take bromocriptine for diabetes and you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose when you normally would. If you take bromocriptine for other reasons, and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose when you normally would. Do not take double or extra doses.