Bromocriptine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Parlodel, Parlodel SnapTabs, Alti-Bromocriptine, Apo-Bromocriptine

Proper Use of This Medicine

If bromocriptine upsets your stomach, it may be taken with meals or milk. Also, taking the dose at bedtime may help to lessen nausea if it occurs. If stomach upset continues, check with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you take the first doses vaginally.

Dosing - The dose of bromocriptine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of bromocriptine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking bromocriptine .

• For oral dosage forms (capsules and tablets):
  • For infertility, male hormone problem (male hypogonadism), starting the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea), or stopping abnormal milk secretion from nipples (galactorrhea):
    • Adults and teenagers 15 years of age or older - At first, 1.25 to 2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day taken at bedtime with a snack. Then your doctor may change your dose by 2.5 mg every three to seven days as needed. Doses greater than 5 mg a day are taken in divided doses with meals or at bedtime with a snack.
    • Teenagers less than 15 years of age and children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For lowering growth hormone (acromegaly):
    • Adults and teenagers 15 years of age or older - At first, 1.25 to 2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day taken at bedtime with a snack for three days. Then your doctor may change your dose by 1.25 or 2.5 mg every three to seven days as needed. Doses greater than 5 mg are divided into smaller doses and taken with meals or at bedtime with a snack.
    • Teenagers less than 15 years of age and children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For Parkinson's disease:
    • Adults and teenagers 15 years of age or older - At first, 1.25 milligrams (mg) one or two times a day taken with meals or at bedtime with a snack. Then your doctor may change your dose over several weeks as needed.
    • Teenagers less than 15 years of age and children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For pituitary tumors:
    • Adults and teenagers 15 years of age or older - At first, 1.25 milligrams (mg) two or three times a day taken with meals. Then your doctor may change your dose over several weeks as needed.
    • Teenagers less than 15 years of age and children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine and remember it within 4 hours, take the missed dose when you remember it. However, if a longer time has passed, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.