Bromocriptine

Oral
Parkinson's disease
Adult: As adjunct to levodopa: 1st wk: Initially, 1-1.25 mg at night; 2nd wk: 2-2.5 mg at night; 3rd wk: 2.5 mg bid; 4th wk: 2.5 mg tid, then increased by 2.5 mg every 3-14 days as required. Maintenance: 10-40 mg daily.

Oral
Hypogonadism
Adult: Initially, 1-1.25 mg at night, increased to 2-2.5 mg at night after 2-3 days, and subsequently increased by 1-2.5 mg every 2-3 days up to 2.5 mg bid or more if necessary. Max: 30 mg daily.

Oral
Galactorrhoea
Adult: Initially, 1-1.25 mg at night, increased to 2-2.5 mg at night after 2-3 days, and subsequently increased by 1-2.5 mg every 2-3 days up to 2.5 mg bid or more if necessary. Max: 30 mg daily.

Oral
Infertility
Adult: Initially, 1-1.25 mg at night, increased to 2-2.5 mg at night after 2-3 days, and subsequently increased by 1-2.5 mg every 2-3 days up to 2.5 mg bid or more if necessary. Max: 30 mg daily.

Oral
Suppression of lactation
Adult: 2.5 mg daily for 2-3 days, increased to 2.5 mg bid for 14 days.

Oral
Prophylaxis of puerperal lactation
Adult: 2.5 mg on the day of delivery followed by 2.5 mg bid for 14 days.

Oral
Acromegaly
Adult: Initially, 1-1.25 mg at night, increased gradually to 2-2.5 mg daily at 2-3 days interval then 2.5 mg 8 hrly, 2.5 mg 6 hrly and 5 mg 6 hrly.
Child: 7-17 yr Initially, 1.25 mg bid or tid, may gradually increase according to response. Max: 7-12 yr 10 mg daily; ≥13 yr 20 mg daily.

Oral
Prolactinoma
Adult: Initially,1-1.25 mg at night, increased gradually to 2-2.5 mg daily at 2-3 days interval, then 2.5 mg 8 hrly, 2.5 mg 6 hrly and 5 mg 6 hrly. Max: 30 mg daily.
Child: 7-17 yr Initially, 1 mg bid or tid, may gradually increase according to response. Max: 7-12 yr 5 mg daily; ≥13 yr 20 mg daily.

Should be taken with food.

Uncontrolled HTN, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including eclampsia, pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced HTN), HTN post-partum and in the puerperium. Coronary artery disease, other severe CV disorders, symptoms or history of severe psychiatric disorders when used for the suppression of lactation or other non-life-threatening indications. Evidence of cardiac valvulopathy (long-term therapy). Lactation.

Patient w/ parkinsonian syndrome who manifest mild degrees of dementia or w/ history of MI and a residual atrial, nodal or ventricular arrhythmia, pleuropulmonary signs and symptoms, history of psychosis, CV disease, Raynaud's syndrome, history of peptic ulcer. Renal or hepatic impairment. Childn. Pregnancy. Patient Counselling This drug may cause somnolence and/or sudden sleep onset, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor for pituitary enlargement, visual field to detect secondary field loss in macroprolactinoma fibrotic disease; BP and heart rate (at baseline and periodically), GI bleeding and pregnancy test during amenorrheic period.

Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension, Raynaud's syndrome, erythromelalgia, arrhythmias, exacerbation of angina, headache, nasal congestion, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhoea, altered LFTs, dyskinaesia, GI bleeding, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, pericarditis, pleural thickening and effusions, sudden sleep onset, hypersexuality, visual disturbance, tinnitus, hair loss.

Symptoms: Vomiting, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, postural hypotension, tachycardia, drowsiness, somnolence, lethargy, confusion and hallucination. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. Administer activated charcoal; may perform gastric lavage if intake is very recent. May give metoclopramide for emesis or hallucinations.

Increased plasma level w/ erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics. Effects of antihypertensives may be potentiated. Diminished therapeutic effect w/ dopamine antagonists such as psychotropics (e.g. phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes). Additive neurologic effect w/ levodopa. Reduced prolactin-lowering effect w/ metoclopramide and domperidone. Potentially severe adverse effects may occur w/ concomitant use of other ergot alkaloids.

Food reduces nausea caused by bromocriptine. Alcohol reduces tolerance to bromocriptine.

Bromocriptine is a dopamine D₂ agonist which activates postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the tuberoinfundibular pathway that inhibits the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary and may lower blood level of growth hormone. It also stimulates nigrostriatal pathways in the corpus striatum to enhance coordinated motor control.
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the GI tract. Bioavailability: Approx 6%. Time to peak plasma concentration: W/in 1-3 hr.
Distribution: Plama protein-binding: 90-96%, mainly albumin.
Metabolism: Undergoes extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism; converted to lysergic acid and peptides via hydrolysis.
Excretion: Via faeces (approx 82%) and urine (approx 2-6%). Elimination half-life: Biphasic: Approx 4-4.5 hr; 15 hr.

Oral: Store below 25°C. Protect from light.

Antiparkinsonian Drugs / Other Drugs Affecting Hormonal Regulation

G02CB01 - bromocriptine ; Belongs to the class of prolactine inhibitors. Used to suppress lactation.
N04BC01 - bromocriptine ; Belongs to the class of dopamine agonist. Used in the management of Parkinson's disease.