Bromocriptine is an active substance that belongs to the group of ergot alkaloids. The active ingredient is used primarily if there is a disease that is due to too high a level of prolactin in the blood.
What is bromocriptine?
Because of its special properties, bromocriptine is used to treat health problems and diseases that are due to excessive levels of prolactin in the blood. By definition, bromocriptine is a special agent that falls into the category of dopamine agonists. Because of its special properties, bromocriptine is used primarily for health problems and diseases that are due to an excessive concentration of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a certain hormone which is responsible, among other things, for the growth of the mammary gland during pregnancy and the production of breast milk. The active ingredient bromocriptine inhibits the production of this hormone. This effect leads, among other things, to the fact that the drug is often used after the end of breastfeeding, i.e. for weaning. In most cases, bromocriptine is used in the form of salt, namely as bromocriptine mesilate. Primarily because of potential side effects, the active ingredient bromocriptine requires a prescription.
Pharmacologic Action
As a so-called dopamine agonist, bromocriptine is classified in the group of ergot alkaloids and exerts its effect at various sites in the brain area. A direct effect is achieved, for example, at the dopamine receptors, so that a similar effect occurs as occurs through the body’s own hormone. Specifically, the effect at these receptors, which are located in the area of the pituitary gland, involves inhibiting the production or rather the release of prolactin. Due to this mode of action, bromocriptine can be used to improve menstrual irregularities or an undesirable milk flow. It is important to know that this effect lasts even if the active ingredient is used over a relatively long period of time. Thus, the effect also continues undiminished in the course of long-term use. Another effect is that not only the release of prolactin is inhibited, but also of the growth hormone somatotropin. Because of this effect, bromocriptine is used, among other things, to treat acromegaly (pituitary gland produces much too high amounts of growth hormone).
Medical use and application
One of the advantages of the active ingredient bromocriptine is that it has various applications in medicine. Because of the effect already presented, bromocriptine is used, for example, in Parkinson’s disease, also known as shaking palsy. A typical feature of Parkinson’s disease is that the neurotransmitter dopamine is not available in the brain or its production is significantly reduced. However, since the breakdown of the neurotransmitter remains the same, a deficiency occurs after some time. The active substance bromocriptine can then have a positive effect on the disease due to its properties. Another common use is to prevent the natural flow of milk after pregnancy. Another area of application is metabolic disorders that occur in adulthood and are characterized by excessive production of the body’s own growth hormone. These disorders are also known as acromegaly and are mainly noticeable by above-average growth in the area of the nose, chin or ears. However, bromocriptine is also successfully used for a metabolic disorder characterized by increased production of the hormone prolactin.
Risks and side effects
There are some side effects that may be relatively common while taking bromocriptine. These include headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, vomiting, other gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, or depression. In addition, there are still occasionally occurring side effects, such as allergic skin reactions, anxiety, nervousness, muscle cramps, circulatory disorders, sleep disorders, visual disturbances or dry mouth. Furthermore, in rare cases, facial pallor, high blood pressure, shortness of breath or even a heart attack as well as a stroke can occur as side effects.However, these side effects occur relatively rarely. Very rarely occurring side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiac arrhythmias, and also speech disorders.
