For the treatment of galactorrhea due to hyperprolactinemia, prolactin-dependent menstrual disorders and infertility, prolactin-secreting adenomas, prolactin-dependent male hypogonadism, as adjunct therapy to surgery or radiotherapy for acromegaly or as monotherapy is special cases, as monotherapy in early Parksinsonian Syndrome or as an adjunct with levodopa in advanced cases with motor complications. Bromocriptine has also been used off-label to treat restless legs syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The dopamine D<sub>2</sub> receptor is a 7-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor associated with G<sub>i</sub> proteins. In lactotrophs, stimulation of dopamine D<sub>2</sub> receptor causes inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, which decreases intracellular cAMP concentrations and blocks IP3-dependent release of Ca<sup>2+</sup> from intracellular stores. Decreases in intracellular calcium levels may also be brought about via inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels, rather than via inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Additionally, receptor activation blocks phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK and decreases MAPK/ERK kinase phosphorylation. Inhibition of MAPK appears to be mediated by c-Raf and B-Raf-dependent inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase. Dopamine-stimulated growth hormone release from the pituitary gland is mediated by a decrease in intracellular calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels rather than via adenylyl cyclase inhibition. Stimulation of dopamine D<sub>2</sub> receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway leads to improvements in coordinated muscle activity in those with movement disorders.
Symptoms of overdosage include nausea, vomiting, and severe hypotension. The most common adverse effects include nausea, headache, vertigo, constipation, light-headedness, abdominal cramps, nasal congestion, diarrhea, and hypotension.
Approximately 28% of the oral dose is absorbed; however due to a substantial first pass effect, only 6% of the oral dose reaches the systemic circulation unchanged. Bromocriptine and its metabolites appear in the blood as early as 10 minutes following oral administration and peak plasma concentration are reached within 1-1.5 hours. Serum prolactin may be decreased within 2 hours or oral administration with a maximal effect achieved after 8 hours. Growth hormone concentrations in patients with acromegaly is reduced within 1-2 hours with a single oral dose of 2.5 mg and decreased growth hormone concentrations persist for at least 4-5 hours.
2-8 hours
Parent drug and metabolites are almost completely excreted via the liver, and only 6% eliminated via the kidney.