Bromocriptine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Bromocriptine is an ergot derivative sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for acromegaly, adenoma and amenorrhea. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Ergot Derivative
- Treats (across its forms)
- Acromegaly, Adenoma and Amenorrhea
- Available as
- Tablet · Capsule
- Sold as
- 3 products — Bromocriptine Mesylate, Cycloset and Parlodel
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- Half-life
- about 4.85 hours
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $52 for a 30-count supply — not your price
How bromocriptine is dosed
From the FDA label for Bromocriptine Mesylate (application ANDA078899). Other bromocriptine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Before initiating bromocriptine mesylate capsules, evaluate for valvular heart disease, including with an echocardiogram. If valvular disease is detected, do not administer bromocriptine mesylate ( 2.1 ). Take bromocriptine mesylate capsules orally with food ( 2.2 ) Recommended dosage for hyperprolactinemia-associated dysfunction is 1.25 mg (one-half of a tablet) to 2.5 mg once daily. Increase the dosage up to 2.5 mg once daily every two to seven days within a recommended dosage of 2.5 mg to 15 mg once daily ( 2.3 ) Recommended dosage for prolactin-secreting adenomas is 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg once daily. Increase the dosage within a recommended dosage of 2.5 mg to 10 mg once daily ( 2.4 ) Recommended dosage for acromegaly is 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg once at bedtime for 3 days. Increase the dosage 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg once daily every 3 days to 7 days up to the maximum recommended dosage is 100 mg/daily ( 2.5 ). Recommended starting dosage for idiopathic or postencephalitic Parkinson's disease is 1.25 mg twice daily. Increase the dosage by 1.25 mg twice daily every 14 days to 28 days up to the maximum recommended daily dosage of 100 mg/day ( 2.6 ) For dosage modifications for concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, see Full Prescribing Information ( 2.7 , 7 ) 2.1 Recommended Evaluation Before Initiating bromocriptine mesylate Before initiating bromocriptine…
Bromocriptine side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiac Valvulopathy and Pericardial Fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Pleural, Pulmonary, and Retroperitoneal Fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypotension/Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Risks with Use of bromocriptine mesylate for Postpartum Lactation Inhibition or Suppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Impulse Control Disorders and Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Visual Impairment in Patients with Prolactin-secreting Adenomas [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Exacerbation of Psychosis in Patients with Severe Psychotic Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Risks in Patients with Hereditary Problems of Galactose Intolerance, Severe Lactase Deficiency, or Glucose-Galactose Malabsorption [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Additional Clinically Significant Adverse Reactions and Risks in Patients with Acromegaly [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Additional Clinically Significant Adverse Reactions and Risks in Patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease or Postencephalitic Parkinsonism [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] Most common adverse reactions: ( 6.1 )…
Who shouldn’t take bromocriptine
Bromocriptine mesylate capsules are contraindicated in patients with: History of cardiac valvular disorders or a history of pericardial fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. History of pleural, pulmonary, or retroperitoneal fibrotic disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Hypersensitivity to bromocriptine or to any of the excipients of bromocriptine mesylate capsules or sensitivity to other ergot alkaloids. Bromocriptine mesylate capsules is contraindicated in patients with: History of cardiac valvular disorders or a history of pericardial fibrosis ( 4 , 5.1 ). History of pleural, pulmonary, or retroperitoneal fibrotic disorders ( 4 , 5.2 ) Uncontrolled hypertension ( 4 , 5.3 ) Hypersensitivity to bromocriptine or to any of the excipients of bromocriptine mesylate capsules or sensitivity to other ergot alkaloids ( 4 ).
Bromocriptine drug interactions
Alcohol Alcohol may potentiate bromocriptine mesylate -associated adverse reactions. Dopamine Antagonists The concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with dopamine antagonists resulted in a decreased efficacy of bromocriptine mesylate. Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Avoid concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Follow the recommended bromocriptine mesylate dosage modifications during concomitant use with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.7 )]. Bromocriptine is a substrate of CYP3A4 [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Concomitant use with strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors increases bromocriptine exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )], which may increase the risk of bromocriptine mesylate-associated adverse reactions. Ergot Alkaloids Concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with other ergot alkaloids is not recommended. If use is unavoidable, dosage reduction may be necessary in those cases where high dosages of bromocriptine mesylate are being used (such as patients with Parkinson's disease). Alcohol: Alcohol may potentiate bromocriptine mesylate adverse reactions ( 7 ). Dopamine Antagonists: Concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with dopamine antagonists: decreased efficacy of bromocriptine mesylate ( 7 ). Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Dosage modifications are recommended for bromocriptine mesylate when used with a concomitant moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor ( 7 ). Ergot Alkaloids: Concomitant use of bromocriptine mesylate with other ergot alkaloids is not recommended. If use is unavoidable, dosage reduction may be needed where high bromocriptine mesylate dosages are used ( 7 ).
Every bromocriptine product we track (3)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $52 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $52 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $52 | View → |
What bromocriptine pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MYLAN;7096 | 5 mg | brown, white | capsule | — |
| E280;25 | 2.5 mg | white | round | — |
| PAD;0106 | 2.5 mg | white | round | — |
| E280;25 | 2.5 mg | white | round | — |
| C;9 | 0.8 mg | white | round | — |
| 102;PARLODEL5mg | 5 mg | brown, white | capsule | — |
Bromocriptine recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
How long bromocriptine keeps
No bromocriptine label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Bromocriptine and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for bromocriptine: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadBromocriptine is usually not used during breastfeeding because it suppresses lactation. The indication of lactation suppression has been withdrawn in the U.S. and discouraged in other countries because it increases the risk of maternal stroke, seizures, cardiovascular disorders, death and possibly psychosis.A low dose of 2.5 mg once daily has been used for 3 days to decrease overproduction of milk. The drug was undetectable in milk with this dosage and infants had no adverse reactions, but the safety of this use is not clearly established.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised January 15, 2026. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about bromocriptine
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 554 reports naming bromocriptine, and the FDA flagged 86% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- nausea37 reports
- headache33 reports
- vomiting32 reports
- pyrexia29 reports
- drug exposure during pregnancy25 reports
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome24 reports
- dizziness21 reports
- fatigue21 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean bromocriptine caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.
How long bromocriptine stays in your system
The elimination half-life of bromocriptine is about 4.85 hours. Single value from one small study (5 healthy fasted adults, single 5 mg dose); the label reports it simply as the "elimination half-life" and gives no separate distribution/terminal phases. Bromocriptine is not a prodrug. It has an active metabolite profile from extensive first-pass CYP3A metabolism, but the label explicitly states the pharmacokinetics of its metabolites "have not been reported," so no metabolite half-life is available — do not assume the parent value covers them. Special populations: the label says the effect of renal impairment, hepatic impairment, age, race, and gender on PK was NOT evaluated. It notes renal impairment likely has little impact (only ~6% renal excretion), but hepatic impairment may increase bromocriptine plasma levels since it is cleared mainly by metabolism, so caution is advised.
Bromocriptine Mesylate Tablet — DailyMed Label, Clinical Pharmacology / Pharmacokinetics ↗Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine Mesylate is an ergot derivative used to treat Acromegaly, Adenoma, Amenorrhea, Galactorrhea.
What kind of drug is bromocriptine?
The FDA classifies bromocriptine as an ergot derivative. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
How long does bromocriptine stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of bromocriptine is about 4.85 hours — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. Single value from one small study (5 healthy fasted adults, single 5 mg dose); the label reports it simply as the "elimination half-life" and gives no separate distribution/terminal phases. Bromocriptine is not a prodrug. It has an active metabolite profile from extensive first-pass CYP3A metabolism, but the label explicitly states the pharmacokinetics of its metabolites "have not been reported," so no metabolite half-life is available — do not assume the parent value covers them. Special populations: the label says the effect of renal impairment, hepatic impairment, age, race, and gender on PK was NOT evaluated. It notes renal impairment likely has little impact (only ~6% renal excretion), but hepatic impairment may increase bromocriptine plasma levels since it is cleared mainly by metabolism, so caution is advised. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you take bromocriptine with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run bromocriptine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is bromocriptine sold under?
We track 3 bromocriptine-containing products in the U.S.: Bromocriptine Mesylate, Cycloset and Parlodel. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does bromocriptine come in?
Across the brands we track, bromocriptine is currently marketed as tablet and capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic bromocriptine?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic bromocriptine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has bromocriptine been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions bromocriptine. The most recent: Bromocriptine Mesylate Capsules (Oct 23, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Bromocriptine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/bromocriptine
- MLA
- “Bromocriptine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/bromocriptine.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for bromocriptine on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.