What is bromocriptine?

Tablets contain micronized bromocriptine mesylate, an ergot derivative. Bromocriptine mesylate is chemically designated [Ergotaman-3',6',18-trione, 2-bromo-12'-hydroxy-2'-(1-methylethyl)-5'-(2-methylpropyl)-, monomethanesulfonate (salt), (5'α)-]. CYCLOSET is a single enantiomer with absolute configuration 5 R , 8 R , 2' R , 5' S , 11' S , 12' S . The structural formula of bromocriptine is shown below: Bromocriptine mesylate in CYCLOSET is a white or slightly colored micronized crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C 32 H 40 BrN 5 O 5 ∙CH 4 SO 3 and a molecular weight of 750.72. CYCLOSET Tablets contain bromocriptine mesylate USP in an amount equivalent to 0.8 mg. of bromocriptine. Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose, corn starch, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and citric acid. Chemical Structure

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.

Bromocriptine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Bromocriptine is a medicine 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.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Treats: Acromegaly, Adenoma and Amenorrhea
Available as: Tablet · Capsule
Sold as: 3 products — Bromocriptine Mesylate, Cycloset and Parlodel
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $52 for a 30-count supply

How bromocriptine is dosed

From the FDA label for Cycloset (application NDA020866). Other bromocriptine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Taken within two hours after waking in the morning with food ( 2.1 ) Initial dose is one tablet (0.8 mg) daily increased weekly by one tablet until maximal tolerated daily dose of 1.6 to 4.8 mg is achieved. ( 2.2 ) Limit dose to 1.6 mg daily during concomitant use of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Avoid concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dose of CYCLOSET is 1.6 mg to 4.8 mg administered once daily within two hours after waking in the morning. CYCLOSET should be taken with food to potentially reduce gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. If the morning dose is missed, instruct patients to take their usual dose the following morning. Doses of CYCLOSET should not be doubled the following morning. 2.2 Titration CYCLOSET should be initiated at one tablet (0.8 mg) and increased by one tablet per week until a maximum daily dose of 6 tablets (4.8 mg) or until the maximal tolerated number of tablets between 2 and 6 per day is reached. 2.3 Use with Concomitant Therapy CYCLOSET dose should not exceed 1.6 mg once daily during concomitant use of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., erythromycin). Avoid concomitant use of CYCLOSET and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., azole antimycotics, HIV protease inhibitors) and ensure adequate washout of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor drug before initiating CYCLOSET treatment [see Drug…

Bromocriptine side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Psychotic Disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Risks in Postpartum Women [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] In controlled clinical trials, adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with CYCLOSET and reported more commonly than in patients treated with placebo, included nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, and headache. ( 6.1 ) Postmarketing reports with higher doses of bromocriptine used for other indications include psychotic disorders, hallucinations, and fibrotic complications. ( 6.2 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact VeroScience, LLC at 1-888-621-1215 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates reported in one clinical trial may not be easily compared to those rates reported in another clinical trial and may not reflect the rates actually observed in clinical practice. The CYCLOSET safety trial was a 52-week, placebo-controlled study. A total of 3,070 patients were randomized to CYCLOSET (titrated to 1.6 to 4.8 mg daily, as tolerated) or placebo. The study population had a mean baseline age of 60 years (range…

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.

Bromocriptine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Bromocriptine Mesylate	48/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$52	View →
2	Cycloset	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$52

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.

Bromocriptine pill imprints
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

Bromocriptine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Bromocriptine Mesylate Capsules
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of Specification (OOS) result reported for 2- Bromoergine impurity of Bromocriptine Mesylate Capsules.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc · Oct 23, 2025

Frequently asked questions

What is bromocriptine?: Tablets contain micronized bromocriptine mesylate, an ergot derivative. Bromocriptine mesylate is chemically designated [Ergotaman-3',6',18-trione, 2-bromo-12'-hydroxy-2'-(1-methylethyl)-5'-(2-methylpropyl)-, monomethanesulfonate (salt), (5'α)-]. CYCLOSET is a single enantiomer with absolute configuration 5 R , 8 R , 2' R , 5' S , 11' S , 12' S . The structural formula of bromocriptine is shown below: Bromocriptine mesylate in CYCLOSET is a white or slightly colored micronized crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C 32 H 40 BrN 5 O 5 ∙CH 4 SO 3 and a molecular weight of 750.72. CYCLOSET Tablets contain bromocriptine mesylate USP in an amount equivalent to 0.8 mg. of bromocriptine. Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose, corn starch, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and citric acid. Chemical Structure
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.

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.