Comprehensive medication guide to Bromocriptine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for generic bromocriptine on commercial insurance (Tier 2–3); Medicare Part D typically places bromocriptine and Cycloset on Tier 4 with higher cost-sharing. Cycloset often requires prior authorization.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$40–$160 retail for a 30-day supply of generic bromocriptine mesylate 2.5 mg; as low as $8–$40 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Cycloset (brand-only, 0.8 mg) costs significantly more without insurance.
Medfinder Findability Score
68/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Bromocriptine is an ergot-derived dopamine D2 receptor agonist that has been in medical use since 1975. It is sold under two brand names in the United States: Parlodel (tablets and capsules, for hyperprolactinemia, Parkinson's disease, and acromegaly) and Cycloset (quick-release tablets for type 2 diabetes). Generic bromocriptine mesylate is available as the Parlodel formulation; Cycloset has no generic equivalent.
Bromocriptine's four FDA-approved indications are hyperprolactinemia (including prolactinomas), Parkinson's disease, acromegaly, and type 2 diabetes (Cycloset only). It is also used off-label for neuroleptic malignant syndrome and peripartum cardiomyopathy. The drug was first patented in 1968 and the quick-release Cycloset formulation was approved in 2009.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Bromocriptine acts primarily as a dopamine D2 receptor agonist — it mimics dopamine by binding to and activating D2 receptors throughout the body. It also acts as a partial antagonist at D1 receptors. This dual mechanism accounts for its diverse therapeutic effects.
For hyperprolactinemia: Bromocriptine activates D2 receptors on pituitary lactotroph cells, inhibiting prolactin secretion and gene expression. For Parkinson's disease: it directly stimulates striatal D2 receptors, compensating for lost dopaminergic neurons. For acromegaly: it paradoxically suppresses growth hormone secretion. For type 2 diabetes (Cycloset): it is thought to reset circadian dopamine signaling in the hypothalamus, improving insulin sensitivity and post-meal blood glucose control.
0.8 mg — tablet
Cycloset quick-release formulation for type 2 diabetes; take within 2 hours of waking with food
2.5 mg — tablet
Parlodel standard formulation for hyperprolactinemia, acromegaly, Parkinson's; take with food
5 mg — capsule
Parlodel higher-strength capsule for Parkinson's disease and acromegaly management
Generic bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel formulation) is not currently on the FDA's active drug shortage list. However, localized stock-outs at individual pharmacies are common because bromocriptine is a relatively low-volume specialty medication. Cycloset (brand-only, 0.8 mg) is harder to find — it has no generic equivalent and is stocked at fewer retail pharmacies, making specialty and mail-order pharmacies the most reliable source.
A key challenge is that Parlodel and Cycloset are not interchangeable — a pharmacy stocking one cannot fill a prescription for the other. Patients should specify the exact formulation when calling pharmacies. The two most reliable strategies for long-term patients are: switching to a 90-day mail-order supply, or using a service like medfinder to locate in-stock pharmacies near you without the hassle of calling around.
Having trouble filling your bromocriptine prescription? medfinder calls local pharmacies on your behalf and texts you which ones have your exact medication ready to dispense.
Bromocriptine is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber. However, given the specialized conditions it treats, initiation typically involves a specialist. The appropriate prescriber depends on your diagnosis:
Endocrinologists — for hyperprolactinemia, prolactinomas, and acromegaly
Neurologists / Movement Disorder Specialists — for Parkinson's disease
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) / Internal Medicine — for type 2 diabetes (Cycloset) and ongoing management of established diagnoses
Obstetricians / Gynecologists / Reproductive Endocrinologists — for hyperprolactinemia in women with fertility concerns or menstrual irregularities
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — can prescribe in most states; often involved in ongoing diabetes and hormone management
Telehealth is an option for established patients needing prescription renewals. New bromocriptine prescriptions typically require diagnostic workup (prolactin levels, pituitary MRI, neurological assessment, or HbA1c testing) that involves in-person evaluation. Telehealth endocrinology and neurology services can coordinate lab tests with local facilities for initial workup in some cases.
No. Bromocriptine is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It does not have a Schedule I through V classification. This means it can be prescribed electronically or via fax, refills are allowed (per prescriber instructions), and it does not require the additional documentation, special DEA registration, or quantity restrictions that apply to controlled substances such as opioids or stimulants.
Prescriptions can be transferred between pharmacies and filled via mail-order without the restrictions associated with controlled substances. Any licensed prescriber — including nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can prescribe bromocriptine without a DEA controlled substance license for prescribing.
Nausea and vomiting (most common; take with food to reduce)
Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness when standing)
Headache
Fatigue and drowsiness
Constipation or diarrhea
Dry mouth
Impulse control disorders (compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, binge eating) — notify your doctor immediately
Sudden sleep attacks — do not drive until you know how the medication affects you
Hallucinations or confusion
Severe hypotension (fainting)
Fibrotic reactions (retroperitoneal, pulmonary, cardiac valve) with long-term high-dose use
Visual changes or blurred vision (may indicate tumor expansion in prolactinoma patients)
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Cabergoline (Dostinex)
Preferred dopamine agonist for hyperprolactinemia; once- or twice-weekly dosing, superior efficacy, better tolerability than bromocriptine
Pramipexole (Mirapex)
Non-ergot dopamine agonist preferred for Parkinson's disease; lower fibrosis risk, available as extended-release generic
Ropinirole (Requip)
Non-ergot dopamine agonist for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome; flexible dosing, widely available generic
Rotigotine (Neupro)
Transdermal patch dopamine agonist for Parkinson's; useful for patients with swallowing difficulties or needing continuous delivery
Prefer Bromocriptine? We can find it.
Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, etc.)
majorContraindicated — additive vasospasm risk; do not use within 24 hours of each other
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals, HIV protease inhibitors)
majorSignificantly increases bromocriptine levels; avoid concurrent use
Antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine)
majorDirectly opposes bromocriptine mechanism by blocking D2 receptors; reduces efficacy for hyperprolactinemia and Parkinson's
Antihypertensives
moderateEnhanced hypotensive effect; increased risk of orthostatic hypotension, especially at start of therapy
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
moderateDopamine antagonist; reduces bromocriptine efficacy and raises prolactin levels
Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin)
moderateModerate CYP3A4 inhibition; may increase bromocriptine levels; max Cycloset dose 1.6 mg/day with erythromycin
Grapefruit juice
minorInhibits CYP3A4; may increase bromocriptine blood levels
Alcohol
minorMay enhance hypotensive effect and worsen nausea
Bromocriptine is a uniquely versatile medication with over 50 years of clinical use. Its ability to treat conditions as diverse as pituitary tumors, Parkinson's disease, and type 2 diabetes — all through dopamine receptor modulation — makes it unlike most drugs in the formulary. Generic bromocriptine is widely available and affordable; Cycloset requires more effort to locate and is more expensive without insurance.
Key points to remember: Parlodel and Cycloset are not interchangeable; always specify the exact formulation needed. Bromocriptine is not a controlled substance, making it easier to prescribe and transfer. Start with low doses and titrate slowly to minimize side effects. For long-term patients, 90-day mail-order fills are the most reliable way to avoid stock-outs.
If you're struggling to fill your bromocriptine prescription, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have your exact medication and dose in stock — saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini