Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist used to treat hyperprolactinemia or excess prolactin hormone production and improve women’s fertility. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in females to promote milk production during nursing and breastfeeding. But in some cases, if there is a tumour in the pituitary gland, the hormone is produced in excess leading to undesirable side effects like disturbances in the menstrual cycle, nipple discharge, infertility, and hypogonadism. Bromocriptine is used in its oral form to shrink such tumors, causing hyperprolactinemia.
Bromocriptine is a fertility drug that inhibits the release of excess prolactin hormone by the pituitary gland. This effect is enabled by the drug’s ability to shrink pituitary gland tumors. The medication is prescribed for those who have hyperprolactinemia and find it difficult to conceive naturally. It is administered orally either as a capsule or a tablet. Following the administration of Bromocriptine, it takes at least two weeks for the levels of prolactin to come down.
Bromocriptine should not be taken if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding. It also should not be taken to stop milk production post-miscarriage or stillbirth, or abortion. Talk to your medical practitioner if you have recently had a migraine, heart attack, or surgery, including dental surgery.Â
Some of the common side effects of Bromocriptine are:
Get medical expert advice and take precautions before taking Bromocriptine dosages because it may cause the aforementioned side effects if taken without indication. At Yashoda Hospitals, we have a dedicated team of doctors and pharmacists to analyze your medical history and suggest drugs and their usage to help avoid undesirable side effects.
What is Bromocriptine
Uses of Bromocriptine
Side effects of Bromocriptine
S.no | Product Name | Dosage | Form |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Test | 0.5mg | Tablet |
2 | fsd | 1.0mg | Tablet |
1. Can Bromocriptine be taken during menstruation?
Yes. Bromocriptine is a fertility drug taken to bring down prolactin levels to restore fertility and can be taken during menstruation. Ideally, Bromocriptine is advised to be taken on the onset of menstruation. This way, you do not take the drug if you are pregnant and avoid undesirable side effects.
2. Can we use Bromocriptine in bitches?
Yes. Bromocriptine has been clarified to be safe and efficient for use in bitches. The drug is ideally prescribed to regulate estrous cycles in bitches within 28 - 50 days of administering Bromocriptine. Also, Bromocriptine, either used in the singular or with other drugs, effectively terminates an unwanted pregnancy.
3. How Bromocriptine used as drug for diabetes?
Yes. Bromocriptine recently got approved to be used against Type 2 Diabetes. It is a dopamine receptor agonist that regulates the release of hormones from the hypothalamus. It is a centrally acting anti-diabetic agent and reduces plasma glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acid levels—this way, diabetic complications like hypertension, nephropathy, and neuropathy are prevented.
4. How to take Bromocriptine to stop lactation?
Bromocriptine is taken right before going to sleep for the first week. This way, your body can accept and process the drug to get accustomed to its effects. If no side effects are seen, the drug is taken twice a day, half a tablet per dose, for two weeks. Following three weeks of administering Bromocriptine, prolactin levels are checked.
5. What is the mechanism of action Of Bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist that helps in regulating the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a biochemical that inhibits the production of prolactin hormone and can also restore normal signalling functions in people with Parkinson's disease. Bromocriptine also helps in shrinking the size of tumors in the pituitary gland that cause hyperprolactinemia.
6. What does Bromocriptine do to the brain?
Bromocriptine acts on dopamine receptors to induce the production of dopamine. The effects are mediated by the drug's ability to reset dopaminergic and sympathetic tone within the CNS. Dopamine is a biochemical classified as a neurotransmitter and mood elevator. It inhibits the production of prolactin hormone by the pituitary gland.
7. When should I start taking Bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine is unsafe to be taken during pregnancy. For this reason, Bromocriptine is ideally started at the onset of menstruation. Usually, half a tablet is prescribed to be taken right before bed in the first week. Following that, one tablet per day is prescribed for two weeks. But, it is recommended that you speak with your medical practitioner before taking the drug.
8. Is Bromocriptine a fertility drug?
Yes. Bromocriptine is classified as a fertility drug because it restores fertility in both men and women. The drug is effective against hyperprolactinemia—Prolactin when excess interferes with ovulation and leads to infertility. On bringing prolactin levels down, a woman's ability to produce eggs and conceive dramatically increases.
9. Can Bromocriptine stop my period?
No. Bromocriptine does not stop your period. It is a drug to induce normal sexual development and functions. By bringing down the levels of excess prolactin in your body, Bromocriptine regulates the release of FSH and promotes egg production and menstruation. Consult with your medical practitioner if you experience amenorrhea upon consuming Bromocriptine.
10. Does Bromocriptine shrink pituitary tumors?
Yes. Bromocriptine helps in shrinking pituitary tumors. It does so by blocking the excess production of prolactin by a specific site at the pituitary gland. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition where a small tumor in the pituitary gland results in overproduction of prolactin hormone resulting in infertility. Bromocriptine resolves the condition by the mechanism mentioned earlier.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.