Bromocriptine (NA)
Introduction To Bromocriptine (NA)
Bromocriptine (NA) is a medicine used to treat high level of prolactin in the body, female infertility, and acromegaly. It works by inhibiting the release of prolactin (milk hormone) in the body. In acromegaly, it works by lowering the amount of growth hormone in the body.
Bromocriptine (NA) should be taken with food, but take it at the same time every day for better results. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. Perform regular exercise, follow a diet plan, and take other prescribed diabetes medicine while on treatment with this medicine.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Always carry some sugar candy with you to overcome low blood sugar levels. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it can enhance medicine side effects.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Bromocriptine (NA)
- High levels of prolactin
- Female infertility
- Acromegaly
Benefits of Bromocriptine (NA)
High levels of prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that helps in the growth and development of breasts and
also causes milk secretion in females. Bromocriptine (NA) helps to stop breast milk
secretion in females that have had a still birth, miscarriage or abortion. It
acts on a chemical in the brain, dopamine, that is responsible for these high
levels of prolactin and stops milk secretion.
Female infertility
Bromocriptine (NA) helps in the regulation of ovulation and menstruation. It is used
to cause menstrual periods in women who have not reached menopause but are not
having periods due to too much prolactin hormone in the body. Use the medicine
as prescribed for it to be effective.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that occurs due to excessive secretion of
growth hormone in adults. When this happens, the bones increase in size,
including those of your hands, feet, and face. Bromocriptine (NA) helps decrease the
growth hormone levels, and therefore, helps in treating acromegaly and its
associated effects. Take it as advised by the doctor to get the most benefits.
Side effects of Bromocriptine (NA)
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Brom
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Inflammation of the nose
- Weakness
Severe side effects of Brom
- Hallucination
- Confusion
- Visual disturbance
- Urinary retention
- Fibrotic-related complications
- Psychiatric disorders
- Stroke
- Neuroleptic-like malignant syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Myocardial infarction
- Seizure
How to use Bromocriptine (NA)
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Bromocriptine (NA) is to be taken with food.
How Bromocriptine (NA) works
Bromocriptine (NA) is a dopamine receptor agonist. It decreases the release of prolactin (milk hormone) in the body. Overproduction of this hormone is associated with abnormal production of breast milk as well as suppression of the sexual glands which can cause infertility. Reducing prolactin levels with Bromocriptine (NA) can therefore improve these conditions. In acromegaly, it works by lowering the amount of growth hormone in the body.
Quick tips
- Bromocriptine (NA) is used to treat conditions caused by excess production of a natural hormone called prolactin such as infertility, or abnormal production of breast milk (galactorrhoea).
- It should be taken with or after food to avoid side effects such as nausea or indigestion.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
- Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as Bromocriptine (NA) can cause dizziness and sleepiness.
- Do not take Bromocriptine (NA) if you are breastfeeding.
- Monitoring of blood pressure may be advised regularly during treatment with Bromocriptine (NA).
Safety Advice
PregnancySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Bromocriptine (NA) if I’m pregnant?
Bromocriptine (NA) is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Bromocriptine (NA) if I’m breastfeeding?
Bromocriptine (NA) is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Bromocriptine (NA) is usually not used during breastfeeding because it suppresses lactation.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Bromocriptine (NA) safe?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Bromocriptine (NA).
DrivingCAUTION
Can I drive after taking Bromocriptine (NA)?
Bromocriptine (NA) may cause dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
KidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Bromocriptine (NA) if I have/had kidney diseases?
Bromocriptine (NA) is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Bromocriptine (NA) may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
LiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Bromocriptine (NA) if I have/had liver diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Bromocriptine (NA) in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor. However, a cautious use of this medicine is advised in these patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is hyperprolactinemia?
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which a person has higher-than-normal levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the brain's pituitary gland. In women, prolactin regulates periods and helps the breasts produce milk. A high level of prolactin reduces estrogen (female sex hormone) and interferes with ovulation, causing irregular or absent periods and affecting fertility. It also leads to low bone density and causes women who aren't pregnant to produce breast milk. High prolactin also affects the levels of testosterone (male sex hormone).
Q. How is hyperprolactinemia diagnosed?
A blood test can show whether your prolactin level is higher than normal. If it’s borderline, you may be tested twice to be sure. Your doctor may also give you a physical exam and order an MRI to get an image of your brain.
Q. What is the normal level of prolactin in the body?
The normal values for prolactin are: Men: less than 20 ng/mL (425 µg/L) Nonpregnant women: less than 25 ng/mL (25 µg/L) Pregnant women: 80 to 400 ng/mL (80 to 400 µg/L)
Q. What causes high prolactin in females?
Sometimes the cause of hyperprolactinemia is unknown. Few include a noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland, an overactive pituitary gland, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), certain medications, and stress.
Q. What happens if the prolactin level is high in females and males?
Excess prolactin can cause the production of breast milk in men and in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. In women, too much prolactin can also cause menstrual problems and infertility (the inability to get pregnant). In men, it can lead to lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED).
Q. What are my chances of pregnancy after treatment with Bromocriptine (NA)?
Bromocriptine (NA) is a medication that is used to lower abnormal levels of the pituitary hormone called prolactin. By lowering the level of prolactin it helps you ovulate and might cause a successful pregnancy. However, a successful pregnancy depends on various other factors like your age, timing, and frequency of sexual intercourse, any underlying medical condition, and the quality of your egg and your partner's sperm. Consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
Q. Can a woman with high prolactin get pregnant?
High prolactin levels inhibit the secretion of FSH, which is the hormone that triggers ovulation. So, if your prolactin levels are high, your ovulation may be suppressed. This is why women who are breastfeeding (and thus have high levels of prolactin) usually do not become pregnant.
Q. Does Bromocriptine (NA) increase fertility?
Bromocriptine (NA) by itself does not increase fertility. It helps reduce high prolactin (hormone) levels. With this, the women may return to normal ovulation or respond better to fertility drug treatment.
Q. Does Bromocriptine (NA) lower blood pressure?
Yes, Bromocriptine (NA) has been found to decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension and may cause dizziness or light-headedness upon standing which may cause you to collapse (if you already have low blood pressure).
Q. Can I take my regular blood pressure medications along with Bromocriptine (NA)?
Taking Bromocriptine (NA) along with other blood pressure medications might cause your blood pressure to become too low and cause dizziness. Consult your doctor in case of any doubts.
Q. Can I drink alcohol while on treatment with Bromocriptine (NA)?
It is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol along with Bromocriptine (NA) as it might increase the severity and risk of side-effects of the medicine. Also, alcohol might affect ovulation, which can make it difficult to conceive. Alcohol can also affect fertility in men by altering sperm count, quality, and motility.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
MediClap strives to make its website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Should you encounter any difficulty accessing this website, kindly send an email to hello@mediclap.com to enable us to provide the necessary services through alternative means.
MediClap is not affiliated with nor sponsored by any of the third-party brands mentioned. All trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights mentioned remain the sole property of their respective owners.