Bromocriptine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
What is Bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine is a dopamine receptor agonist used to treat hyperprolactinemia or excess prolactin hormone production and improve women’s fertility. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in females to promote milk production during nursing and breastfeeding. But in some cases, if there is a tumour in the pituitary gland, the hormone is produced in excess leading to undesirable side effects like disturbances in the menstrual cycle, nipple discharge, infertility, and hypogonadism. Bromocriptine is used in its oral form to shrink such tumors, causing hyperprolactinemia.
What are the uses of Bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine is a fertility drug that inhibits the release of excess prolactin hormone by the pituitary gland. This effect is enabled by the drug’s ability to shrink pituitary gland tumors. The medication is prescribed for those who have hyperprolactinemia and find it difficult to conceive naturally. It is administered orally either as a capsule or a tablet. Following the administration of Bromocriptine, it takes at least two weeks for the levels of prolactin to come down.