Bromocriptine

Bromocriptine

Bromocriptine is known to have belonged to a group of medicines called the ergot alkaloids. Bromocriptine mesylate is chemically recognized as Ergotaman-3′,6′,18-trione, 2-bromo-12′-hydroxy-2′- (1-methylethyl)-5′-(2-methylpropyl)-, (5′α)-monomethanesulfonate (salt).Being anergoline derivative, it is a dopamine agonist responsible for blocking the release of a hormone called prolactin produced in the pituitary gland. Hence it is employed for the treatment of pituitary tumors. Prolactin affects menstrual cycle in females and milk production as well. Hence it is used to treat problems related to these along with milk production in women as well as men who have abnormal milk leakage. In a nutshell, it is used to treat fertility anomalies in both women and men occuring because of the presence of too much prolactin. Bromocriptine mesylate, as it is scientifically designated is usually administered orally with each tablet containing 2.5 mg of mesylate and 5 mg in capsules.

Indications

• There are a number of pituitary problems such as hyperprolactinaemia, Bromocriptine is known to be used to cure such as amenorrhea, female infertility, galactorrhea, hypogonadism, and acromegaly.
• Bromocriptine has found its maximum usage by bodybuilders after they have finished a cycle of steroids to stimulate parts of the hypothalamus pituitary testicular axis (HPTA). It forms a part of a particular class of drugs which aid the pituitary in stimulating the Leydig cells in the testicles.
• In many countries, it is employed to prevent lactation after childbirth, in circumstances when the mother does not wish to breastfeed. Thus one of dopamine's effects on the pituitary is as an antagonist ofprolactin production by lactotrophs . However, this indication was removed by the FDA in 1995, owing to increased incidence of heart attack, seizure and stroke in women consuming it.
• Since prolactin is responsible to regulate the proliferation of the T-lymphocytes of the immune system, bromocriptine, has also been employed to suppress the immune system in organ transplant patients by being administered with a dosage of 5mg everyday orally.
• Another wide use that bromocriptine is successfully chosen for is in the treatment of cocaine addiction. The addictive effects of cocaine are usually caused by its blocking dopamine reuptake. Also bromocriptine has very less subjective side effects when taken singularly and hence is the most preferred for this treatment among all drugs.
• Owing to the connectivity of insulin insensitivity with dopamine, bromocriptine is largely used to treat diabetes as well as obesity. Studies have founded that this is possible because a connection between neurotransmitters and seasonal variation in insulin sensitivity in vertebrate animals has been seen. However, similar connectivity is also seen between temperature, dopamine and serotonin production.

Dosage:

Ideally these drugs should be taken under prescribed conditions only. However dosage indicated by studies are as follows: Bromocriptine is available in the market in the form of capsules and tablets for oral administration. Normally, it is to be consumed just once or twice a day but may also be taken several times a day under particular circumstances. While administering these drugs, please ensure that the directions on prescription label are strictly followed and do not leave any void in understanding the procedures of consuming it, if it is not clear to you. Dosage more or less than what is prescribed should not be taken. Also one should not stop taking it suddenly as it can make your condition worse.

If bromocriptine is being taken for amenorrhea, menstrual period usually takes 6-8 weeks to occur. In case of administering it to become pregnant, birth control measures over oral contraceptives should be taken until regular menstrual cycle takes place.

Parkinson's disease

Being an agonist of D2 dopamine receptors, Bromocriptine is extensively used for the treatment for Parkinson's disease. Some researches have put forth that treating patients with bromocriptine beforelevodopa can cause a delay in the onset of side effects such as dyskinesia in patients suffering from parkinson’s illness.

Side effects

Certain side effects of using Bromocriptine have been many with most significant being the psychotic symptoms caused by its excessive or prolonged administration of the drug. This is mainly because its mechanism takes place in opposition of most antipsychotics, whose mechanisms generally block dopamine secretion.

Other common symptoms include dizziness, upset stomach, headache, fatigue, swelling of the feet or ankles, fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, confusion, watery discharge from nose, vomiting and constipation which should be reported if observed after the drug intake.