Bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablets – stopping lactation, hyperprolactinaemia, acromegaly and Parkinson's disease

Bromocriptine (registered in Serbia as Bromokriptin Zdravlje, 2.5 mg, tablet) belongs to the group of dopamine agonists and prolactin secretion inhibitors. It stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain and reduces the release of the hormones prolactin and growth hormone.

It is therefore used both in endocrinology (stopping milk production for medical reasons, conditions caused by excess prolactin, prolactinomas, acromegaly) and in neurology (Parkinson's disease). It is a prescription-only medicine and the dose is always set individually.

What is Bromocriptine 2.5 mg used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Bromocriptine used for?

• stopping milk production for medical reasons, when the doctor and patient decide it is necessary (not routinely, and not for painful breasts after childbirth if non-drug measures and painkillers help)
• fertility problems and menstrual disorders caused by an inappropriate amount of prolactin, including polycystic ovary syndrome
• prolactinomas – benign pituitary tumours that secrete prolactin
• acromegaly – a disease with excessive secretion of growth hormone
• Parkinson's disease

How is it taken and dosed?

The medicine is always taken with a meal. For most indications treatment is started gradually: usually half a tablet (1.25 mg) at bedtime, then 2.5 mg at bedtime after 2–3 days, increasing further by half to one tablet every 2–3 days up to 2.5 mg twice a day.

• Children 7–17 years: prescribed by an endocrinologist; maximum 5 mg (prolactinoma) or 10 mg (acromegaly) daily at 7–12 years and 20 mg at 13–17 years.
• The medicine is not given to children under 7 years.
• Women are advised by their doctor when in the cycle to start treatment.

This is the general dosage from the Summary of Product Characteristics – your doctor sets your exact schedule.

Special patient groups

• Elderly: the doctor may prescribe a slightly lower dose; there is no evidence of additional risk.
• Liver impairment: elimination may be slowed – dose adjustment is needed.
• Children and adolescents 7–17 years: only under an endocrinologist experienced in treating children; not used under 7 years.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to bromocriptine, other ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine) or the excipients
• high blood pressure
• blood pressure problems during pregnancy or after childbirth (eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension)
• heart disease or serious blood vessel disease – now or in the past
• fibrotic (scar) changes affecting the heart, now or in the past
• serious mental health problems, now or in the past
• breast-feeding

Warnings and precautions

• Immediately after childbirth, high blood pressure, heart attack, convulsions, stroke or mental problems occur very rarely – blood pressure is checked during the first days of treatment.
• Before and during treatment the doctor checks the heart, lungs and kidneys (echocardiogram because of possible fibrotic changes of the heart valves).
• Caution with stomach ulcer or bleeding, liver disease, recent childbirth, miscarriage or abortion, benign breast disease and tumours.
• Women on long-term treatment need a gynaecological examination every 6 months; eye examinations and tumour checks (when treating a prolactinoma) are also planned.
• The medicine may increase or restore fertility – if you do not want to become pregnant, ask about contraception.
• Impulse control disorders (gambling, binge eating, shopping, increased sex drive) – tell your doctor if you or your family notice them.
• The medicine contains lactose and the yellow colour E110, which may cause allergic reactions.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• blood pressure medicines (diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors)
• other ergot alkaloids – ergometrine (bleeding after childbirth) and ergotamine (migraine), especially after childbirth or abortion
• erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, protease inhibitors (HIV)
• octreotide
• antipsychotics (phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes) and metoclopramide or domperidone
• Alcohol: avoid even small amounts – it may worsen side effects.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor; if you become pregnant during treatment, contact your doctor immediately. The medicine must not be taken while breast-feeding, as it slows or stops milk production.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy or faint (possible drop in blood pressure, most often in the first days). The medicine may cause severe tiredness and suddenly falling asleep during the day – in that case you should not drive.

Possible side effects

• Common: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, blocked nose.
• Uncommon: restlessness, confusion or hallucinations, dry mouth, dizziness or fainting on standing up (low blood pressure), leg cramps, itching, red or swollen skin, hair loss, tiredness.
• Rare: extreme drowsiness, insomnia, tingling of the skin, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine and back pain, fast or slow pulse, lung problems (difficulty breathing, pain on breathing in, persistent cough), ankle swelling, blurred vision, runny nose, ringing in the ears.
• Very rare: heart valve disorders and pericardial effusion, marked daytime sleepiness or sudden sleep onset, pale fingers and toes in the cold.
• Impulse control disorders: compulsive gambling, increased sex drive, uncontrolled shopping, binge eating.

Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Do not take more than prescribed. In case of overdose (nausea, raised temperature, excessive tiredness) contact a doctor or emergency service immediately.
• Missed dose: do not take a double dose – take the next one at the usual time.
• Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms (confusion, reduced attention, stiffness) – stop only after agreeing with your doctor.

Related information

For monitoring blood pressure during treatment (blood pressure checks are especially important at the start), see also the Blood pressure monitors category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: bromocriptine 2.5 mg (2.87 mg bromocriptine mesilate) per tablet.
• Excipients: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, soluble starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, yellow colour E110, magnesium stearate.
• Pack: Al/Al blisters of 10 tablets; carton with 30 tablets and package leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: ZDRAVLJE AD LESKOVAC, Vlajkova 199, Leskovac, Serbia.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
• Shelf life: 3 years.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bromocriptine taken with food?

Taking it with a meal is required by the leaflet – it reduces nausea and other complaints at the start of treatment.

How long does treatment to stop lactation last?

According to the SmPC usually 14 days: 2.5 mg on the first day and then 2.5 mg twice a day. The medicine is not used routinely, only for medical reasons.

Can I become pregnant while taking Bromocriptine?

Yes – the medicine may increase or restore fertility. If you do not want to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about contraception; if you become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

Is it safe to drive during treatment?

Not if you feel dizzy, faint or very tired. The medicine may also cause you to fall asleep suddenly during the day, in which case you should not drive.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Bromokriptin Zdravlje, 2.5 mg, tablet (Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet Bromokriptin Zdravlje, 2.5 mg, tablet (August 2025, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 24 October 2026.