[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/) › Bromocriptine

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)

# Bromocriptine

An ergot dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin and growth hormone. Used in prolactinoma, acromegaly and, less often today, Parkinson disease.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)
- Receptor: Dopamine D2 receptor
- ATC code: N04BC01

◎**Dopamine D2 receptor**Bromocriptine

ⓘ The figure shows bromocriptine bound to the human D2 receptor coupled to its Gi protein.

**Target in 3D:** Dopamine D2 receptor. PDB structure 7JVR (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7JVR) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Bromocriptine is an ergot derivative with potent agonist activity at D2 dopamine receptors. In the pituitary it inhibits prolactin release and, in acromegaly, can lower growth hormone; in the striatum it substitutes for missing dopamine.

- Bromocriptine stimulates D2 receptors
- Pituitary prolactin release is inhibited
- Prolactinomas shrink; growth hormone can fall
- In the striatum it eases Parkinson symptoms

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Extensive liver metabolism by CYP3A4

## Indications

- Hyperprolactinaemia and prolactin-secreting adenomas (amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, infertility, hypogonadism) [Prolactinoma (hyperprolactinaemia) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prolactinoma/)
- Acromegaly, alone or with surgery or radiotherapy [Acromegaly and gigantism →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acromegaly-and-gigantism/)
- Parkinson disease, usually added to levodopa [Parkinson disease →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/parkinson-disease/)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, as an adjunct to stopping the antipsychotic and supportive care (off-label) [Neuroleptic malignant syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/neuroleptic-malignant-syndrome/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Nausea, vomiting, headache
- Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension
- Nasal congestion and constipation
- Hallucinations and confusion, more than with levodopa

### Serious (rare, important)

- Pleural and pericardial effusions; pleural, pulmonary and retroperitoneal fibrosis with long, high-dose use
- Hypertension, stroke, seizures and myocardial infarction, notably in the postpartum period
- Impulse-control disorders and sudden sleep

## Contraindications

- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Sensitivity to ergot alkaloids
- Postpartum use in women with coronary or other severe cardiovascular disease

## Key interactions

**Erythromycin and other CYP3A4 inhibitors**
Raise bromocriptine levels and adverse effects

**Dopamine antagonists (antipsychotics, metoclopramide)**
Oppose its effect

## What is monitored

- Prolactin or growth hormone levels and pituitary imaging
- Blood pressure, especially early and postpartum
- Breathing, chest symptoms and kidney function with long use (fibrosis)
- Pregnancy: treatment for hyperprolactinaemia is usually stopped when pregnancy is confirmed

## Administration and safety

- Given with food to reduce nausea
- Started low and increased gradually
- Not used to suppress normal postpartum lactation

## Nursing care

- Check blood pressure lying and standing, especially after the first dose
- Teach to report severe headache, chest pain or vision changes
- Discuss contraception: fertility can return quickly
- Ask about impulse-control behaviours

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

In hyperprolactinaemia it is usually stopped when pregnancy is diagnosed, unless a growing macroadenoma needs it.

## Memory aid

«Bromocriptine BRakes prolactin and growth hormone»; and in NMS, a dopamine agonist «replaces the blocked dopamine».

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are three endocrine or neurological uses of bromocriptine?

Hyperprolactinaemia/prolactinoma, acromegaly and Parkinson disease.

## Why is bromocriptine not used to stop normal breastfeeding after delivery?

Postpartum use has been linked to hypertension, stroke, seizures and myocardial infarction.

## Which enzyme metabolizes bromocriptine, and what does that imply?

CYP3A4; inhibitors such as erythromycin can raise its levels.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/bromocriptine/)

## Related drugs

- [Cabergoline](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cabergoline/)
- [Pramipexole](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pramipexole/)

## Related conditions

- [Prolactinoma (hyperprolactinaemia)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prolactinoma/)
- [Acromegaly and gigantism](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acromegaly-and-gigantism/)
- [Parkinson disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/parkinson-disease/)
- [Neuroleptic malignant syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/neuroleptic-malignant-syndrome/)

[← Back to the class: Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - BROMOCRIPTINE MESYLATE capsule](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=72d8eefe-c066-41b6-8922-9586f1cf47a1) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Bromocriptine: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682079.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2022); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 19 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N04BC01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bromocriptine/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bromocriptine/