Bromocriptine

The specific dose of bromocriptine will depend on the condition being treated and the needs of the person.

The initial adult dose for all conditions is 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg taken at bedtime with food to determine the likelihood and severity of side effects. Your doctor will recommend increasing the dose slowly until an effect is seen. Depending on the medical condition being treated, a total daily dose of 20 mg to 40 mg may be required.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

To reduce side effects such as upset stomach and nausea, bromocriptine should always be taken with or immediately after food.

It is important to take Bromocriptine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store is medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause constipation - to prevent this, drink plenty of water or juice, and eat more dietary fibre; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause nausea and vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Tablet
Each white, oval-shaped, scored tablet, engraved "APO 2.5", contains bromocriptine 2.5 mg (as mesylate). Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Capsule
Each white and caramel No. 4, opaque capsule, imprinted "APO 5", contains bromocriptine 5 mg (as mesylate). Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose, stearic acid, and talc; capsule shell: gelatin, red iron oxide, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide; edible black ink: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, n-butyl alcohol, pharmaceutical glaze, propylene glycol, SDA-3A alcohol, and synthetic black iron oxide.

Do not take bromocriptine if you:

• are allergic to bromocriptine or any ingredients of Bromocriptine
• are allergic to other ergot alkaloid medications
• have Coronary Artery Disease or other severe heart conditions
• have high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy or a history of high blood pressure during pregnancy

There may be an interaction between bromocriptine and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, Voriconazole)
• Buspirone
• clarithromycin
• Domperidone
• efavirenz
• other ergot derivatives (e.g., Dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
• Haloperidol
• imatinib
• isoniazid
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g, clarithromycin erythromycin, telithromycin)
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., Maprotiline, Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Sertraline)
• Mirtazapine

• nicardipine
• Nitroglycerin
• Octreotide
• phenothiazines (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, thioridazine)
• Pimozide
• protease inhibitors (anti-HIV medications; atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• quinidine
• SAMe
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, sertraline)
• sibutramine
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Nortriptyline)
• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., Eletriptan, Rizatriptan, Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bromocriptine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bromocriptine.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Bromocriptine may cause dizziness and drowsiness or suddenly falling asleep. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Bromocriptine affects you.

Fertility: Bromocriptine may reverse infertility for women by restoring normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. Women who do not wish to get pregnant should use a reliable method of birth control.

Heart disease: Bromocriptine can cause dramatic changes in blood pressure, affecting heart conditions. As well, because it is known to cause a significant drop in blood pressure when treatment is started, it is important to rise from lying or sitting positions slowly, until your blood pressure increases to the point where severe dizziness is not a problem.

If you have a history of heart attack, heart disease or are taking medication for blood pressure or heart conditions, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function or severe Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: The liver helps to remove bromocriptine from the body. If you have reduced liver function or severe liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low Blood Pressure: Bromocriptine may cause low blood pressure, particularly during the first days of treatment. If you have low blood pressure or are taking medication to control high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Lung problems: Long-term treatment (6 to 36 months) with bromocriptine in doses ranging from 20 mg to 100 mg daily has been associated with lung problems including Pulmonary Fibrosis (a condition where the air sacs of the lungs are replaced by scar tissue, making the lungs stiff). If you experience unusual back pain, swelling of the lower legs or feet, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately.

Mental health: The use of high doses of bromocriptine, such as those used for Parkinson's disease, may be associated with mental confusion and mental disturbances. When bromocriptine is combined with levodopa, side effects may increase including auditory or visual hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there). These effects usually disappear with lower bromocriptine doses.

Pregnancy: Bromocriptine may be taken by women who are pregnant if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bromocriptine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Bromocriptine reduces the production of breast milk. The use of bromocriptine after childbirth is more likely to cause serious blood pressure changes and heart problems, as well as seizure. For these reasons, it should not be taken by women who are breast-feeding.

This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Talk to your health care professional to find out exactly how much alcohol you can drink.