Parlodel is the brand name for bromocriptine, a medication that affects how your brain controls hormones. It doesn’t cure conditions like high prolactin or Parkinson’s disease, but it helps manage them by mimicking dopamine - a chemical your brain uses to send signals. If you’ve been prescribed Parlodel, you’re likely dealing with something like irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, breast milk production when you’re not nursing, or movement issues from Parkinson’s. It’s been around since the 1970s and is still used today because it works reliably for specific hormone-related problems.
How Parlodel Works in the Body
Parlodel’s active ingredient, bromocriptine, is a dopamine agonist. That means it binds to dopamine receptors in your brain and tricks them into thinking dopamine is present. Dopamine normally tells your pituitary gland to slow down prolactin production. When prolactin runs too high, it can cause infertility, missed periods, or even milk production in people who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding. Parlodel steps in and lowers prolactin levels quickly - often within hours.
In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells that make dopamine slowly die off. This leads to shaking, stiffness, and trouble moving. Parlodel helps by replacing some of that lost dopamine activity. It doesn’t stop the disease from progressing, but it can make symptoms easier to live with, especially in early stages. Many people take it alongside levodopa, another Parkinson’s drug, to smooth out movement and reduce "off" periods when symptoms flare up.
Common Uses for Parlodel
- Hyperprolactinemia: High prolactin levels. This can cause infertility, low sex drive, or unexpected milk production. Parlodel is one of the first-line treatments.
- Prolactin-secreting tumors (prolactinomas): Benign tumors on the pituitary gland. Parlodel can shrink these tumors in up to 80% of cases, often avoiding surgery.
- Parkinson’s disease: Used to improve motor control, especially in early-stage patients or as an add-on to levodopa therapy.
- Acromegaly (off-label): Sometimes used to lower growth hormone levels when other treatments aren’t working.
- Postpartum breast engorgement: Rarely used today, but historically given to stop milk production after stillbirth or adoption.
For prolactinomas, Parlodel is often the preferred choice over surgery because it’s non-invasive and effective. Studies show that after 3-6 months of treatment, tumor size shrinks in most patients. Some people even stop needing medication after long-term use if the tumor disappears.
Dosage and How to Take It
Parlodel comes as a tablet you swallow. The dose depends on what you’re treating.
For high prolactin or prolactinomas, most people start with 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg once a day, usually at bedtime to reduce side effects. The dose is slowly increased every few days until prolactin levels drop into the normal range. Many end up on 5-10 mg daily, sometimes split into two doses.
For Parkinson’s, the starting dose is even lower - often 1.25 mg once a day - and increased gradually over weeks. People with Parkinson’s may take up to 30 mg per day in divided doses, but most stay under 20 mg.
You take Parlodel with food. Taking it on an empty stomach increases the chance of nausea, dizziness, or fainting. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember - unless it’s almost time for the next one. Don’t double up.
Side Effects and Risks
Parlodel isn’t a drug you take lightly. It can cause real side effects, especially when you first start or increase the dose.
- Common: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, fatigue, headache, low blood pressure (especially when standing up).
- Less common: Confusion, hallucinations, sudden sleep attacks, chest pain, or unusual urges (like gambling or increased sexual behavior).
- Rare but serious: Heart valve problems (with long-term, high-dose use), pulmonary fibrosis, or severe low blood pressure leading to fainting.
Sudden sleep attacks are a big concern. People on Parlodel have fallen asleep while driving, cooking, or talking. If you feel unusually drowsy, don’t drive or operate machinery. Talk to your doctor immediately.
Some people develop impulse control disorders - compulsive gambling, shopping, eating, or sexual behavior. These are rare but serious. If you notice changes in your behavior, tell your doctor right away. Stopping the drug usually reverses these effects.
Who Should Avoid Parlodel
Parlodel isn’t safe for everyone. You should not take it if you:
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have a history of heart disease, especially heart valve problems
- Are allergic to bromocriptine or similar drugs
- Have severe liver disease
- Are pregnant and have a prolactinoma - your doctor will need to carefully weigh risks vs benefits
If you’re breastfeeding, Parlodel can stop milk production. That’s why it was once used after stillbirth. But if you’re trying to breastfeed, you must avoid it. It can also interact with many other drugs, including antipsychotics, certain blood pressure meds, and even some antibiotics like erythromycin.
How Parlodel Compares to Other Treatments
| Medication | Primary Use | Start Dose | Common Side Effects | Effectiveness for Tumor Shrinkage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parlodel (bromocriptine) | High prolactin, Parkinson’s | 1.25-2.5 mg/day | Nausea, dizziness, low BP | 70-85% |
| Cabergoline (Dostinex) | High prolactin | 0.25 mg twice a week | Nausea, fatigue, nasal congestion | 85-95% |
| Levodopa (Sinemet) | Parkinson’s | 25/100 mg 2-3x/day | Nausea, dyskinesia, low BP | N/A |
Cabergoline is now more popular for prolactinomas because it’s taken less often and causes fewer side effects. But Parlodel is still widely used because it’s cheaper and has a longer safety track record. For Parkinson’s, it’s rarely used alone anymore - it’s mostly paired with levodopa.
What to Expect When Starting Parlodel
When you first take Parlodel, you might feel worse before you feel better. Nausea and dizziness are common in the first week. Taking it with food and at night helps. Most people adjust within 2-4 weeks.
Your doctor will likely check your prolactin levels after 2-3 months. If they’re normal and your symptoms are gone, you may stay on the same dose. For prolactinomas, an MRI is often done after 6-12 months to check tumor size.
If you’re taking Parlodel for Parkinson’s, your neurologist will monitor your movement and adjust doses every few weeks. You may need to combine it with other meds over time.
Don’t stop Parlodel suddenly. If you need to quit, your doctor will taper you down slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms like high blood pressure spikes, confusion, or hallucinations.
Long-Term Use and Monitoring
People can stay on Parlodel for years - even decades - if it’s working. But long-term use requires regular checkups.
- Every 6-12 months: Blood pressure check
- Every 1-2 years: Liver function test
- Annual eye exam (rarely, long-term use may affect vision)
- Report any new chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual behaviors
There’s no evidence that Parlodel causes cancer. But because it affects hormones, doctors monitor women for breast changes and men for signs of low testosterone.
Alternatives and When to Consider Them
If Parlodel doesn’t work or causes too many side effects, your doctor might switch you to cabergoline. It’s more potent and easier to take - just twice a week. But it’s more expensive and harder to find in some countries.
For prolactinomas that don’t respond to medication, surgery or radiation may be needed. That’s rare - under 10% of cases.
For Parkinson’s, other dopamine agonists like pramipexole or ropinirole are now more common. But Parlodel still has a place, especially for patients who respond well and can’t afford newer drugs.
If cost is an issue, generic bromocriptine is available and works the same as Parlodel. Many insurance plans cover the generic version.
Can Parlodel help me get pregnant if I have high prolactin?
Yes. High prolactin is a common cause of infertility in women. Parlodel lowers prolactin, which restores normal ovulation. Many women start ovulating within weeks and conceive within 3-6 months of starting treatment. It’s one of the most effective ways to treat this type of infertility.
Is Parlodel safe during pregnancy?
Once pregnancy is confirmed, most doctors stop Parlodel for prolactinomas. The tumor rarely grows during pregnancy, and prolactin levels naturally rise. Continuing the drug isn’t usually needed. However, if you have a large tumor, your doctor may keep you on a low dose to prevent complications. Always consult your OB-GYN and neurologist before making changes.
Why do I feel dizzy when I stand up after taking Parlodel?
Parlodel can lower blood pressure, especially when you stand up quickly. This is called orthostatic hypotension. To reduce it, stand up slowly, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol. If dizziness is severe or causes fainting, your dose may need to be lowered.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Parlodel?
It’s best to avoid alcohol. Alcohol can make dizziness and low blood pressure worse. It may also increase the risk of sudden sleep attacks. Even a small amount can interact dangerously with Parlodel, especially when you’re just starting treatment.
How long does it take for Parlodel to work?
For prolactin levels, you may see a drop within 24-48 hours. Symptoms like milk production or irregular periods often improve in 2-4 weeks. For Parkinson’s, movement improvements may take several weeks as your body adjusts to the dose. Patience is key - don’t increase the dose yourself.
Parlodel isn’t a flashy new drug, but it’s still a vital tool for managing hormone imbalances and Parkinson’s symptoms. It’s been used safely by millions over decades. If you’re on it, stick to your schedule, report side effects, and don’t skip checkups. It’s not a cure - but for many, it’s the difference between struggling and living normally.
Dave Pritchard
Just wanted to say this is one of the clearest breakdowns of Parlodel I’ve ever read. I’ve been on it for 3 years for prolactinoma and honestly, the side effects scared me at first - but sticking with it changed my life. Took me 6 weeks to adjust, but now I’m ovulating regularly and my MRI shows the tumor’s shrunk by 90%. You’re not alone if you’re nervous. Just go slow with the dose and eat before you take it. 🙌
kim pu
lol soooo… is anyone else suspicious that Big Pharma didn’t push cabergoline harder earlier? I mean, it’s better, cheaper to produce, and takes less doses… but somehow Parlodel’s still everywhere? Coincidence? Or did someone pay off the FDA? 🤔 I’ve got my tin foil hat on today. Also, ‘orthostatic hypotension’? That’s just ‘pass out when you stand up’ in doctor-ese. 😏
Sarbjit Singh
Hey bro, i just started this med last week for high prolactin... ugh the nausea is brutal 😩 but i'm taking it with peanut butter toast at night like u said and it's getting better. thanks for the tip! hope u r doing great! 🙏
benedict nwokedi
Oh, so you’re telling me this 50-year-old drug, developed during the Nixon administration, is still the gold standard? And you’re not alarmed? The FDA hasn’t updated its safety protocols since the 80s, and yet we’re still giving this to people who might develop heart valve fibrosis? It’s not medicine - it’s a relic. Cabergoline’s been proven superior in 12 separate meta-analyses since 2018 - but the pharmaceutical lobby keeps Parlodel on formularies because it’s cheaper to produce and harder to patent. Wake up. This isn’t healthcare - it’s corporate inertia with a stethoscope.
And don’t even get me started on the “sudden sleep attacks.” You know what else causes that? SSRIs. And who pushed those? The same companies. It’s all connected. They don’t care if you fall asleep driving - they care if you keep refilling.
And yes, I’ve read the FDA’s black box warning. Twice. And I still think we’re being played. Why is the generic version so widely available? Because they know people will keep taking it - even when they know better. It’s psychological dependency disguised as medical necessity.
My cousin’s neurologist switched her to cabergoline - her tremors vanished. Her prolactin dropped faster. She didn’t need to eat before taking it. And yet, here we are - still clinging to a 1970s relic because “it’s worked for decades.” That’s not science. That’s nostalgia with a prescription pad.
Don’t trust the system. Question everything. And if you’re on Parlodel? Ask for a blood test for prolactin, an echocardiogram, and a sleep study. And if your doctor says no - get a new one.
Sameer Tawde
Big win for anyone starting this - you’re not broken. You’re just out of balance. Parlodel isn’t magic, but it’s a tool. Stick with it, track your symptoms, and don’t let side effects scare you off. You’ve got this. 💪
Joshua Casella
Just read this whole thing twice. Thank you for writing this. I’ve been on Parlodel for Parkinson’s for 4 years now - and honestly, I thought I was the only one who knew how to manage the nausea. The food tip? Lifesaver. The sleep attack warning? Critical. I almost didn’t tell my family about it because I was scared they’d think I was “crazy.” But this post made me feel seen. Seriously - this is the kind of info you don’t get from your 8-minute doctor visit. Keep sharing stuff like this.
Angela J
Okay but… what if Parlodel isn’t the real problem? What if it’s the *other* drugs they’re giving you? I read somewhere that dopamine agonists like this are used to mask the real issue - which is… EMF radiation from 5G towers? It’s not prolactin, it’s your pineal gland being suppressed. And the dizziness? That’s your body trying to detox from the signals. I stopped my meds and started drinking lemon water with Himalayan salt and my periods came back in 11 days. Also, I think the FDA is hiding the truth. Someone please tell me I’m not crazy. 🥺
Brandon Lowi
Let me get this straight - we’re celebrating a 1970s drug because it’s ‘cheap’ and ‘worked for decades’? That’s not progress - that’s surrender. In America, we don’t settle for relics. We innovate. We lead. And yet here we are, letting Big Pharma peddle outdated chemicals while China and Germany roll out next-gen neuro-modulators. This isn’t healthcare - it’s national shame. We built the moon landing, but we can’t fix a dopamine receptor? Pathetic. And don’t give me that ‘it’s cheaper’ nonsense - if we spent 1% of what we waste on military drones on real R&D, we’d have a cure by now. This isn’t medicine. It’s defeat dressed in a white coat.