Parlodel/Bromocriptine IS USED FOR:

Treating Parkinson disease, certain conditions caused by too much prolactin in the blood (eg, excessive or abnormal breast milk production), certain menstrual problems, or abnormally large growth of certain body parts (acromegaly). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Bromocriptine/Parlodel is a dopamine agonist. It works by blocking the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland and lowering growth hormone levels (in patients with acromegaly). In Parkinson disease, Bromocriptine/Parlodel works by stimulating dopamine receptors in certain parts of the brain.

BEFORE USING Parlodel/Bromocriptine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Bromocriptine/Parlodel . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have angina (chest pain) or coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, mental illness, narrowing of blood vessels of the legs or arms, a history of vision problems, or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you have had a heart attack

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bromocriptine/Parlodel . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol/Inderal), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol/Albuterol sulfate , amphetamine, pseudoephedrine), ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), medicine for high blood pressure, or NNRT inhibitors (eg, efavirenz) because the risk of side effects of Bromocriptine/Parlodel may be increased
• Methyldopa because side effects, including dizziness upon standing, may be increased by Bromocriptine/Parlodel
• Phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine/Thorazine), haloperidol, metoclopramide/Reglan, or pimozide because the effectiveness of Bromocriptine/Parlodel may be decreased
• Sumatriptan/Imitrex because excessive increases in blood pressure may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bromocriptine/Parlodel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Parlodel/Bromocriptine :

Use Bromocriptine/Parlodel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Bromocriptine/Parlodel with food.
• If you miss a dose of Bromocriptine/Parlodel , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bromocriptine/Parlodel .

DO NOT USE Parlodel/Bromocriptine IF:

• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or developed high blood pressure associated with pregnancy
• you are taking Bromocriptine/Parlodel only for hyperprolactinemia and become pregnant
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Bromocriptine/Parlodel or to ergot alkaloids
• you are taking an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine/Cafergot), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir/Norvir), a ketolide (eg, telithromycin), a macrolide (eg, erythromycin/Eryc), a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRT) inhibitor (eg, efavirenz/Sustiva), or sumatriptan/Imitrex
• you are breast-feeding
• you have blood poisoning during pregnancy
• you have recently given birth and have coronary artery disease (chest pain) or other severe heart disease

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Parlodel/Bromocriptine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cold sensitivity in fingers and toes; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach cramps; stuffy nose; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal involuntary movements; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; depression; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; persistent, watery nasal discharge; progressive, severe headache; shortness of breath; ringing in the ears; seizures; slurred speech or trouble speaking; stomach pain; sudden confusion; sudden daytime sleepiness; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; vomiting blood or a substance like coffee grounds.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Bromocriptine/Parlodel may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Bromocriptine/Parlodel . Using Bromocriptine/Parlodel alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Bromocriptine/Parlodel may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Bromocriptine/Parlodel without first checking with your doctor.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Bromocriptine/Parlodel during pregnancy. It is unknown if Bromocriptine/Parlodel is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bromocriptine/Parlodel .
• Bromocriptine/Parlodel may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms) while using Bromocriptine/Parlodel .
• If you are taking Bromocriptine/Parlodel for a brain tumor, stopping Bromocriptine/Parlodel can lead to rapid regrowth of the tumor. Do not stop taking Bromocriptine/Parlodel without talking with your doctor.
• LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, liver and kidney function, heart function, and blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Bromocriptine/Parlodel with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 15 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.