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| Pronunciation |
|
 (broe
moe KRIP
teen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Parlodel® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo® Bromocriptine (Canada); Cryocriptina
(Mexico); Serocryptin®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Anti-Parkinson's Agent (Dopamine Agonist); Ergot Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to bromocriptine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: High blood pressure,
severe coronary artery disease, severe peripheral vascular disease.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
- It is used to treat some hormone (prolactin) secreting tumors and
acromegaly.
- It is used for females who do not have a menstrual cycle but should or
who have too much milk flowing because of this hormone called
prolactin.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- When used in Parkinson's disease, bromocriptine causes an increase of
a chemical called dopamine in the brain.
- It also prevents prolactin secretion in these other
diseases.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at bedtime to decrease
nausea.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy and shaky.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution if you have severe blood flow problems to the heart or
legs. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills and stimulants. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- If you are using this medicine for Parkinson's disease, other
medicines may need dosage changes.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Inability to sleep. Take at least 4 hours before bedtime.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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|
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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