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Bromocriptine
Drug ClassDopamine Agonist
Year Approved1978
Conditions TreatedProlactinoma, Parkinson
AvailabilityPrescription
About Bromocriptine
A dopamine receptor agonist derived from ergot fungus. Bromocriptine or Parlodel treats prolactinomas, pituitary tumors that produce excess prolactin. It shrinks these tumors without surgery. Bromocriptine is also used to treat Parkinson disease. The drug can cause nausea, dizziness, and rarely hallucinations. An unusual FDA approval allows bromocriptine for type 2 diabetes based on its effects on circadian rhythm and glucose metabolism. The drug demonstrates how dopamine pathway modulation affects multiple body systems.