Parlodel (Bromocriptine)

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

• Take PARLODEL with food.
• If you miss a dose of 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 PARLODEL.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; constipation; delusions; dizziness; drowsiness; fainting; hallucinations; increased sweating; nausea; pale skin; repetitive yawning; vomiting.

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; light-headedness; 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; back pain; bloody or black, tarry stools; changes in sexual ability or desire; chest pain; confusion; decreased urine; depression; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; persistent, watery nasal discharge; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; slurred speech or trouble speaking; stomach pain; sudden daytime sleepiness; sudden loss of coordination; swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet; unusual skin growths or change in the appearance of a mole; vision changes (eg, blurred vision, vision loss); vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Do NOT use PARLODEL if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in PARLODEL or to ergot alkaloids
• you are breast-feeding
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• you are taking PARLODEL only to treat hyperprolactinemia and you become pregnant
• you have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• you are taking an azole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole, miconazole), certain medicines used for migraines ("triptans," such as eletriptan or sumatriptan), efavirenz, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, erythromycin), a protease inhibitor (eg, boceprevir, ritonavir), or telithromycin

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

Before using PARLODEL:

Some medical conditions may interact with 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, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• 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 or you are at risk for developing high blood pressure associated with pregnancy
• if you have recently given birth and you also have a history of heart blood vessel problems or other severe heart or blood vessel problems (eg, stroke)
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart attack, irregular or slow heartbeat); blood vessel problems; high or low blood pressure; stroke; kidney or liver problems; lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma); stomach ulcers; or stomach or bowel bleeding
• if you have a history of mental or mood problems, dementia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), seizures, skin cancer (melanoma), sleep problems (eg, falling asleep without warning), or vision problems
• if you drink alcohol or have a history of addiction or compulsive behavior (eg, eating, gambling, shopping)
• if you are taking medicine that lowers your blood pressure

Important safety information:

• PARLODEL may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use PARLODEL with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using PARLODEL.
• Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using PARLODEL; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• PARLODEL may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Some people who use PARLODEL may experience sudden onset of severe drowsiness or may even fall asleep during normal daily activities (eg, driving, eating, talking). This could occur without warning. If this happens, do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other possibly unsafe tasks while you use PARLODEL. Tell your doctor right away.
• Do not suddenly stop taking PARLODEL. Some conditions may become worse when PARLODEL is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered by your doctor to avoid side effects (eg, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal thinking, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating).
• If you are taking PARLODEL for a brain tumor, stopping PARLODEL can lead to rapid regrowth of the tumor. Do not stop taking PARLODEL without talking with your doctor.
• Patients with Parkinson disease may have an increased risk of developing a certain type of skin cancer (melanoma). It is not known if PARLODEL also increases the risk of melanoma. You may need to have skin exams while you are using PARLODEL. Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual skin growths or a change in the appearance of a mole. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Some people have experienced new, unusual, or increased urges (eg, gambling, sexual urges) while taking PARLODEL. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take PARLODEL before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• 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 PARLODEL.
• 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.
• PARLODEL should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 11 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using PARLODEL while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking PARLODEL.

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

• Certain medicines used for migraines ("triptans," such as eletriptan or sumatriptan) because excessive increases in blood pressure may occur
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), efavirenz, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), medicine for high blood pressure, protease inhibitors (eg, boceprevir, ritonavir), sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, amphetamine, pseudoephedrine), or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of PARLODEL's side effects
• Haloperidol, metoclopramide, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or pimozide because they may decrease PARLODEL's effectiveness
• Methyldopa because side effects, including dizziness upon standing, may be increased by PARLODEL

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if 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.