Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels in women causing infertility) 2. To treat Parkinson’s disease 3. To treat type 2 diabetes 4. To treat acromegaly (increased growth hormone levels) |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Blurred vision 2. Chest pain or discomfort 3. Difficulty in speaking 4. Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position 5. Double vision 6. Feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there 7. Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings 8. Feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior 9. Feeling that others can hear your thoughts 10. Headache 11. Inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles 12. Inability to speak 13. Lack or loss of strength 15. Nausea 16. Nervousness 17. Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck 18. Pounding in the ears 19. Sensation of spinning |
| Additional Information | 1. Bromocriptine mesylate can cause dizziness or drowsiness, so avoid driving or risky tasks until you know how it affects you. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Take this medication orally with a sip of water. |
Bromocriptine Uses
Bromocriptine mesylate 1.2 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of anti-parkinsonism agents and is used for the following indications:
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels in women causing infertility)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Acromegaly (increased growth hormone levels)
Bromocriptine side effects
More Common
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Difficulty in speaking
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Double vision
- Feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
- Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- Feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
- Feeling that others can hear your thoughts
- Headache
- Inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- Inability to speak
- Lack or loss of strength
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- Pounding in the ears
- Sensation of spinning
Less Common
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Leg cramps at night
- Loss of appetite
- Mental depression
- Stomach pain
- Tingling or pain in the fingers and toes when exposed to cold temperatures
How Bromocriptine works
Bromocriptine helps by acting like dopamine in the brain to lower excess prolactin. Dopamine acts against prolactin because high prolactin can stop normal periods, reduce fertility, and cause unwanted breast milk production. By reducing prolactin, bromocriptine restores hormonal balance, supports regular cycles, and improves chances of conception.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
There’s no clear proof that bromocriptine mesylate harms a fetus in humans, but animal studies suggest it might affect its development. So, doctors are careful when using it during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Bromocriptine mesylate passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop it.
Kidney and Liver Problems
Bromocriptine mesylate is known to be safe for use in liver and kidney disease patients. If you have any serious liver and kidney problems. Consult a doctor before using them.
Past Mental Health Issues
Bromocriptine mesylate directly acts on the brain and causes different effects like sedation, drowsiness, and suicidal thoughts. inform the doctor about your past mental health issues before using it
Bromocriptine Interaction with Food Product
Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking simultaneously, as it may affect the drug’s action and show an effect on blood glucose levels.
Bromocriptine Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking bromocriptine 1.2 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Bromocriptine Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(6aR,9R)-5-bromo-N-[(1S,2S,4R,7S)-2-hydroxy-7-(2-methylpropyl)-5,8-dioxo-4-propan-2-yl-3-oxa-6,9-diazatricyclo[7.3.0.02,6]dodecan-4-yl]-7-methyl-6,6a,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take bromocriptine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 4 mg of bromocriptine mesylate per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, double vision, low blood pressure, and slurred speech. Immediately seek medical attention.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take bromocriptine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking bromocriptine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take bromocriptine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Bromocriptine Summary
Bromocriptine 1.2 mg is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist. It is approved for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, acromegaly, and Parkinson’s disease. Its off-label use is for type 2 diabetes management and pituitary tumors. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors, which lowers prolactin and improves motor function. Common side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, and low blood pressure. It can interact with alcohol and high-fat meals, which may alter absorption. People with uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease, or severe psychiatric illness should avoid it. Taking more than 30 to 50 mg can cause overdose effects like confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and dangerously low blood pressure.
FAQ’s
What are the side effects of bromocriptine?
Common side effects of bromocriptine mesylate include drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, sleepiness, and swelling of legs.
What are the uses of the bromocriptine tablet?
Bromocriptine mesylate is an ergoline anti-parkinsonism agent used to treat diabetes and hyperprolactinemia along with Parkinson’s disease.
What is the mechanism of action of bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine helps reproductive health by lowering excess prolactin through dopamine receptor stimulation. This restores normal menstrual cycles, reduces unwanted breast milk production, and improves fertility.
What is the drug class of bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine mesylate belongs to the class of ergoline dopamine agonists belonging to the category of anti-parkinsonism agents.
Reference
- StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Bromocriptine. [Updated 2025 Jan 6]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Bromocriptine (oral route). Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2026 Feb 1 [cited 2026 Feb 17]. Available from.
- PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 31101, Bromocriptine; [cited 2026 Feb. 17]. Available from.
- WebMD. Bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing [Internet]. WebMD LLC; 2024 Oct 27 [cited 2026 Feb 17]. Available from.
- Cerner Multum. Bromocriptine: Uses, Side Effects & Warnings. Drugs.com [Internet]. Drugs.com; 2025 Mar 21 [cited 2026 Feb 17]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.