Bromocriptine Oral Capsule

BROMOCRIPTINE (broe moe KRIP teen) comes from a group of medicines called ergot alkaloids. This medicine is useful in treating menstrual and fertility problems and symptoms caused by certain cancers. It is also used to treat Parkinson's disease and people who have too much growth hormone.

This drug also comes in other forms, including Oral tablet

This drug can cause serious side effects. See which side effects you should report to your doctor right away.

Know how to use your medication, and learn what might happen if you miss a dose.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions.

Know what to watch for and get tips for reducing your risks while taking this drug.

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 vision
• confusion
• dizziness
• falling asleep during normal activities like driving
• fast, irregular heartbeat
• feeling anxious
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• increased hunger
• low blood pressure
• numbness, tingling, or burning in hands or feet
• runny nose
• seizures
• shakiness
• spasm in fingers or toes, or unusual muscle movements
• stomach pain
• sweating
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual or severe headache
• unusually weak or tired
• vomiting

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

• diarrhea or constipation
• loss of appetite
• mild stomach cramps
• nausea

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

• cocaine
• dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, methysergide, or ergot-type medication
• imatinib
• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
• medicines for HIV infection like amprenavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir
• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• chloramphenicol
• isometheptene
• levodopa
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• metoclopramide
• phenylpropanolamine
• probenecid
• stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
• sulfa medicines

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take with food to prevent stomach upset. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

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.

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

• drowsiness
• heart or vessel disease
• high or low blood pressure
• history of heart attack
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental illness
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to bromocriptine, ergot alkaloids, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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.

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you should check your blood pressure regularly, especially if you get severe headaches. Report changes in blood pressure if they occur. Contact your doctor or health care professional promptly if you develop an unusual or severe headache or have changes in your vision.

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 dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, and increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Dizziness is more common after the first dose. Take it before bedtime if possible and be careful getting out of bed.

If you find that you have sudden feelings of wanting to sleep during normal activities, like cooking, watching television, or while driving or riding in a car, you should contact your health care professional.

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.