Parlodel

Generic name: Bromocriptine

Brand names: Parlodel

General Information about Parlodel (Bromocriptine)

belongs to a group of remedies known as dopamine receptor agonists. This remedy possesses some of the effects which are similar to effects provided by dopamine. Low dopamine level in the brain is associated with Parkinson’s illness. Parlodel remedy is recommended to reduce prolactin level (it is a hormone which is released from the pituitary gland). Parlodel is recommended to cure hyperprolactinemia. It is a disease caused by a imbalance of hormones when the level of prolactin in the blood is to high. The symptoms of high prolactin level may affect sexual development in young people.

Females may have following symptoms of hyperprolactinemia:

• loss of sexual desire
• leakage from the nipples and unexpected breast milk production
• hot flashes
• infertility
• missed menstrual periods

Hyperprolactinemia in males may be the reason of the problems listed below:

• decreased libido
• decreased facial or body hair
• enlarged breasts
• loss of muscle

Parlodel is also recommended to cure the above disorders in case they are a result of brain tumors that can produce prolactin. This remedy can also be prescribed in combination with radiation or surgery treating of acromegaly, a condition caused by a pituitary gland tumor that produces too much growth of hormone. This remedy is also prescribed by physicians to cure symptoms of Parkinson’s illness, such as stiffness, muscle spasms, poor muscle control and tremors. It works by stimulating certain parts of the nervous system and brain. Be aware that Parlodel can be used for other purposes if your physician will say to do so.

What symptoms or conditions should I report to a physician before using Parlodel (bromocriptine)?

Some persons taking this remedy may fall asleep during every day daytime activities such as driving, working, talking or eating. Call your medical assistant in case you experience any problems with daytime drowsiness or sleepiness. Don’t drive or operate with machinery until you are aware about how this remedy affects you. Don’t take this pill in case you have allergy to Parlodel, or/and if you have:

• hypertension caused by pregnancy, including preeclampsia and eclampsia
• allergy to any type of ergot medicine such as ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Ergomar), methylergonovine (Methergine) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray)
• hypertension

This remedy may contain lactose. Tell your medical assistant in case you have a hereditary form of severe lactase deficiency, galactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption before taking this pill.

If you experience certain symptoms, you will need special tests or a dose adjustment to safely use Parlodel. Also do not  forget to inform your medical assistant in case you have or had:

• kidney disease
• hypertension
• a history of psychosis or other mental illness
• liver disease
• intestinal bleeding, a stomach ulcer or history of stomach
• heart disease or a history of heart attack

Do not forget to consult your physician if you are planning to become pregnant during treatment with Parlodel or if you are pregnant. This remedy may be recommended to some women to increase their chances of becoming pregnant by normalizing menstrual periods. In this case tell your physician when you become pregnant. In this situation you might need to stop using this pill. This remedy is not considered to be harmful to a foetus, but a brain tumor may become bigger during pregnancy.

During pregnancy woman may experience hypertension, in this case Parlodel can be harmful and even dangerous. If you are not aimed to get pregnant during the Parlodel treatment, use non-hormone methods of birth control, for example a spermicide, condom, diaphragm, to prevent pregnancy. Pass a pregnancy test every four weeks if your health care professional will recommend you.

Remember that your doctor may recommend stopping taking Parlodel just after you have a baby in case you have a history of severe coronary artery disease or heart disease. Talk with your health care professional about your peculiarities. Parlodel lowers the level of a hormone which is important to produce breast milk. Don’t use this drug during lactation.

How do I take this medicine?

Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Do not share this medicament with others.

Take Parlodel as it was prescribed by your physician. Don’t increase the dose and never prolong the period of treatment by yourself. Be prepared, your doctor may change the dose to achieve the best results from this drug. Take Parlodel when you eat, even if you need to take it at bedtime. Take the first dose while lying down. You may faint or become dizzy due to lower blood pressure, especially following the first dose. Parlodel may also be taken together with proper diet and exercise to cure high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is important to take the dose of Parlodel on a regular basis to achieve positive results. Your doctor may test your blood regularly. You need also to check your vision, heart, liver function or blood pressure.

Never miss any blood tests and follow-up visits to your physician.

How should Parlodel be stored?

Keep Parlodel at room temperature (below 25 C) away from light, moisture and heat away from children and animals.

What to do if I have missed a dose?

If you forgot to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose. Never take 2 doses at once.

Overdosage

If you consider you have taken too much of this drug, then seek emergency medical attention. Here are the symptoms of overdose drowsiness, sweating, confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, vomiting, fainting, constipation, yawning, nausea and pale skin.

What should I avoid during Parlodel treatment?

This remedy can cause side effects. Don’t drive until you know how this remedy affects you. Certain drugs should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your health care professional the use of your drug with food, alcohol or tobacco. Don’t get up quickly, you may feel dizzy.

What are Parlodel side effects?

Seek emergency medical help in case you experience any of the

Following signs of an allergic reaction:

• difficult breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• hives

In case you are take Parlodel to cure increased level of prolactin caused by a tumor, inform your physician if you have persistent watery, nasal discharge.

Serious side effects

Don’t take the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience

Serious side effects, such as:

• hallucinations, confusion
• urinating less than usual or not at all, swelling in your ankles or feet, back pain
• extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly even after feeling alert
• feeling short of breath (especially when lying down),  fast heart rate, pain when you breathe
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• dangerously high blood pressure (confusion, anxiety, uneven heartbeats, chest pain, severe headache, seizure, shortness of breath, buzzing in your ears, blurred vision)
• feeling like you might pass out
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds or coughing up blood
• numbness or weakness, problems with vision, sudden headache
• pain in your chest, behind your breastbone, on your left side
• unusual taste in your mouth, runny nose

Less serious side effects

Here is the list of side effects which are considered to be less serious:

• vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain
• stuffy nose, dry mouth
• diarrhea, constipation
• dizziness, mild headache, mild drowsiness, tired feeling
• numbness in your fingers, cold feeling

Note: the list of side effects may not be complete. Contact your health care professional for medical advice about any side effects that you have

What are other drugs interactions with this remedy?

Many medicines can interact with Parlodel. The list below is not complete. Inform your physician in case you are taking:

• an antidepressant
• drugs which lower the level of cholesterol, such as simvastatin (Zocor)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• seizure medications
• anti-malaria drugs
• heart rhythm remedy
• an antibiotic
• narcotic or sedative medicine
• medicines for psychiatric disorders
• asthma or allergy remedy
• HIV or AIDS pills
• cancer remedy
• medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection
• diabetes medication taken by mouth
• blood or heart pressure pills
• dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray)ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine) or ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar)

Inform your health care professional about all the prescription and non-prescriptions pills you take. This may include vitamins, herbal products, minerals and pills prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new drug without consulting your health care professional. Always keep a list of all the pills you take and show this list to any health care professional that treats you.