Parlodel

Generic equivalents for Parlodel...

We also carry these generic equivalents of Parlodel to help save you money.

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Parlodel Prescription Drug Information

Bromocriptine (By mouth)
Bromocriptine (broe-moe-KRIP-teen)

Treats several different medical conditions including menstrual problems, growth hormone overproduction, Parkinson's disease, and pituitary tumors. Also used to stop breast milk production. Also used together with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Parlodel is an ergot alkaloid.

Brand Name(s):Parlodel, Cycloset
There may be other brand names for Parlodel.

When Parlodel Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Parlodel if you have had an allergic reaction to bromocriptine or to other ergot medicines (such as ergonovine, ergotamine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Ergostat®, or Wigraine®). Bromocriptine should not be taken by children under 15 years of age and by women who are breastfeeding. You should not use Parlodel if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or toxemia of pregnancy. You should not also use Parlodel if you have migraine headaches with fainting, type 1 diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis.

How to Use Parlodel:
Capsule, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of Parlodel to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Take Parlodel within 2 hours after waking up in the morning.
• It is best to take Parlodel with food or milk.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet or exercise program.
• You may not feel the effects of bromocriptine until you have been taking it for 2 to 3 weeks.
• Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using Parlodel. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.
• Parlodel comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose of Parlodel is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of Parlodel:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Parlodel:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using birth control pills, estrogen (Estradiol® LA, Premarin®), progestin (Provera®, Norplant®), or levodopa (Dopar®). Tell your doctor if you are using isometheptene, phenylpropanolamine, or sumatriptan (Imitrex®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to lower blood pressure (such as atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®). Tell your doctor if you are also using other medicines to treat diabetes (such as insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, Actos®, or Avandia®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using pain or arthritis medicine called "NSAIDs" (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, or Celebrex®), medicine to treat an infection (such as chloramphenicol, itraconazole, ketoconazole, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, Bactrim®, Chloromycetin®, Nizoral®, Septra®, or Sporanox®), or probenecid (Benemid®). Tell your doctor if you are also using medicine to treat mental illness (such as clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, ziprasidone, Clozaril®, Geodon®, Haldol®, or Zyprexa®), a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®), metoclopramide (Reglan®), or medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, Invirase®, or Viracept®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Parlodel.

Warnings While Using Parlodel:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcers, heart disease, low blood pressure, or mental illness. Tell your doctor if you also have a fever, infection, or trauma.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Parlodel. You may need to stop using Parlodel several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• If you become pregnant while taking bromocriptine, call your doctor right away.
• Parlodel may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that will not go away. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or below, do one of the following: Drink 4 ounces (one-half cup) of fruit juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Recheck your blood sugar 15 minutes later. If your blood sugar goes above 70 mg/dL, eat a snack or a meal. If your blood sugar is still below 70 mg/dL, drink one-half cup juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Carry candy or some type of sugar with you at all times, especially if you are away from home. You can take this if you feel that your blood sugar is too low, even if you do not have a blood glucose meter. Always carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how to treat your low blood sugar. Learn what to do if your blood sugar gets too low. Teach friends, coworkers, and family members what they can do to help if you have low blood sugar.
• Do not stop using Parlodel suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using Parlodel. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using Parlodel:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Dizziness, shakiness, or increased thirst.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Severe dizziness.
• Severe headache.
• Severe nausea and vomiting.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
• Swelling of your feet or ankles.

If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Parlodel, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision or changes in vision.
• Confusion or hallucinations.
• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or stomach upset.
• Dry mouth.
• Mild headache.
• Stuffy or runny nose.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Parlodel, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088