Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bromocriptine.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Bromocriptine may cause dizziness and drowsiness or suddenly falling asleep. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Bromocriptine affects you.
Fertility: Bromocriptine may reverse infertility for women by restoring normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. Women who do not wish to get pregnant should use a reliable method of birth control.
Heart disease: Bromocriptine can cause dramatic changes in blood pressure, affecting heart conditions. As well, because it is known to cause a significant drop in blood pressure when treatment is started, it is important to rise from lying or sitting positions slowly, until your blood pressure increases to the point where severe dizziness is not a problem.
If you have a history of heart attack, heart disease or are taking medication for blood pressure or heart conditions, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function or severe Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: The liver helps to remove bromocriptine from the body. If you have reduced liver function or severe liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Low Blood Pressure: Bromocriptine may cause low blood pressure, particularly during the first days of treatment. If you have low blood pressure or are taking medication to control high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Bromocriptine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bromocriptine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Lung problems: Long-term treatment (6 to 36 months) with bromocriptine in doses ranging from 20 mg to 100 mg daily has been associated with lung problems including Pulmonary Fibrosis (a condition where the air sacs of the lungs are replaced by scar tissue, making the lungs stiff). If you experience unusual back pain, swelling of the lower legs or feet, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Mental health: The use of high doses of bromocriptine, such as those used for Parkinson's disease, may be associated with mental confusion and mental disturbances. When bromocriptine is combined with levodopa, side effects may increase including auditory or visual hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there). These effects usually disappear with lower bromocriptine doses.
Pregnancy: Bromocriptine may be taken by women who are pregnant if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bromocriptine, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Bromocriptine reduces the production of breast milk. The use of bromocriptine after childbirth is more likely to cause serious blood pressure changes and heart problems, as well as seizure. For these reasons, it should not be taken by women who are breast-feeding.
