Bromocriptine tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

BROMOCRIPTINE (broe moe KRIP teen) is used to treat high levels of prolactin. This medicine is useful in treating menstrual and fertility problems or certain types of tumors. It is used to treat acromegaly, a condition where the body makes too much growth hormone. This medicine may also be used to treat Parkinson's disease.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Take this medicine with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 11 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in emotions or moods

• changes in vision

• chest pain

• confusion

• falling asleep during normal activities like driving

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• hallucinations

• loss of bladder control

• new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• seizures

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

• signs and symptoms of a stroke like changes in vision; confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; severe headaches; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination

• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• dry mouth

• nausea

• stuffy nose

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines

• certain antibiotics for infection like chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, erythromycin, sulfa antibiotics

• certain medicines for psychotic disturbances

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• certain medicines for migraine like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan and sumatriptan

• certain medicines for Parkinson's disease and related conditions like cabergoline, pramipexole, ropinirole

• grapefruit juice

• isometheptene

• metoclopramide

• phenylephrine

• pseudoephedrine

• probenecid

• rifampin

• St. John's wort

• stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• circulation problems in fingers and toes

• diabetes

• dementia

• heart disease

• high or low blood pressure

• liver disease

• mental illness

• migraines with fainting

• narcolepsy

• seizures

• sleep apnea

• stomach or intestine problems

• stroke

• an unusual or allergic reaction to bromocriptine, ergot alkaloids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

If you stop taking this medicine when it is being used for tumor treatment, the tumor may regrow quickly, and your original symptoms may return. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

When taking this medicine, you may fall asleep without notice. You may be doing activities like driving a car, talking, or eating. You may not feel drowsy before it happens. Contact your health care provider right away if this happens to you.

There have been reports of increased sexual urges or other strong urges such as gambling while taking this medicine. If you experience any of these while taking this medicine, you should report this to your health care provider as soon as possible.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care professional if the problem does not go away or is severe.

You should check your skin often for changes to moles and new growths while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you notice any of these changes.

Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.