Bromocriptine is used for:

Treating Parkinson disease, certain conditions caused by too much prolactin in the blood (eg, excessive or abnormal breast milk production), certain menstrual problems, or abnormally large growth of certain body parts (acromegaly). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist. It works by blocking the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland and lowering growth hormone levels (in patients with acromegaly). In Parkinson disease, Bromocriptine works by stimulating dopamine receptors in certain parts of the brain.

Do NOT use Bromocriptine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Bromocriptine or to ergot alkaloids
• you are breast-feeding
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or developed high blood pressure associated with pregnancy
• you have blood poisoning during pregnancy
• you have recently given birth and have coronary artery disease (chest pain) or other severe heart disease
• you are taking Bromocriptine only for hyperprolactinemia and become pregnant
• you are taking an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a ketolide (eg, telithromycin), a macrolide (eg, erythromycin), a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRT) inhibitor (eg, efavirenz), or sumatriptan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Bromocriptine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Bromocriptine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have angina (chest pain) or coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, mental illness, narrowing of blood vessels of the legs or arms, a history of vision problems, or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you have had a heart attack

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bromocriptine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Sumatriptan because excessive increases in blood pressure may occur
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, amphetamine, pseudoephedrine), ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), medicine for high blood pressure, or NNRT inhibitors (eg, efavirenz) because the risk of side effects of Bromocriptine may be increased
• Phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), haloperidol, metoclopramide, or pimozide because the effectiveness of Bromocriptine may be decreased
• Methyldopa because side effects, including dizziness upon standing, may be increased by Bromocriptine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bromocriptine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Bromocriptine :

Use Bromocriptine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Bromocriptine with food.
• If you miss a dose of Bromocriptine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bromocriptine.

Important safety information:

• Bromocriptine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Bromocriptine. Using Bromocriptine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Bromocriptine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Bromocriptine without first checking with your doctor.
• If you are taking Bromocriptine for a brain tumor, stopping Bromocriptine can lead to rapid regrowth of the tumor. Do not stop taking Bromocriptine without talking with your doctor.
• Bromocriptine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms) while using Bromocriptine.
• LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, liver and kidney function, heart function, and blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Bromocriptine with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 15 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Bromocriptine during pregnancy. It is unknown if Bromocriptine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bromocriptine.

Possible side effects of Bromocriptine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cold sensitivity in fingers and toes; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach cramps; stuffy nose; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal involuntary movements; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; depression; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; persistent, watery nasal discharge; progressive, severe headache; shortness of breath; ringing in the ears; seizures; slurred speech or trouble speaking; stomach pain; sudden confusion; sudden daytime sleepiness; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; vomiting blood or a substance like coffee grounds.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.