From the FDA Drug Label
The initial dosage of bromocriptine mesylate tablets in adults is one-half to one 2.5 mg scored tablet daily. The therapeutic dosage ranged from 2.5 to 15 mg daily in adults studied clinically. The initial dose is one-half to one 2. 5 mg scored tablet daily. The therapeutic dosage ranged from 2. 5 to 10 mg daily in children with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas. The initial recommended dosage is one-half to one 2. 5 mg bromocriptine mesylate tablet on retiring (with food) for 3 days. The usual optimal therapeutic dosage range of bromocriptine mesylate tablets varies from 20 to 30 mg/day in most patients. The maximal dosage should not exceed 100 mg/day The initial dose of bromocriptine mesylate tablets is one-half of a 2. 5 mg tablet twice daily with meals. The dose of bromocriptine is
- 2.5 to 15 mg daily for hyperprolactinemic indications in adults
- 2.5 to 10 mg daily for hyperprolactinemic indications in children
- 20 to 30 mg daily for acromegaly
- up to 100 mg daily as a maximal dosage
- 2.5 mg twice daily for Parkinson's disease 1
From the Research
The dose of bromocriptine for Parkinson's disease typically starts at 1.25 mg twice daily and can be increased to 10-40 mg daily divided into multiple doses, as supported by the study published in 1985 2. When considering the treatment of Parkinson's disease with bromocriptine, it's essential to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different dosing regimens.
- The study published in 1985 2 examined the efficacy of low-dose (5-30 mg/day) and high-dose (31-100 mg/day) bromocriptine alone and with levodopa in 27 studies encompassing 790 patients.
- The results showed that low-dose bromocriptine (16 mg/day) without levodopa resulted in improvement in 58% of patients, while high-dose bromocriptine (56 mg/day) without levodopa resulted in improvement in 62% of patients.
- However, when bromocriptine was combined with levodopa, the improvement rates were higher, with 71% of patients showing improvement with low-dose bromocriptine (23 mg/day) and levodopa, and 58% showing improvement with high-dose bromocriptine (48 mg/day) and levodopa.
- Another study published in 1986 3 found that low-dose bromocriptine therapy (average dose 14.5 mg/day) produced significant improvement in 25 of 39 parkinsonian patients, with bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity showing the most improvement.
- The study published in 1976 4 also found that bromocriptine had a slight therapeutic effect in patients on no other treatment and an additional effect in patients on levodopa, with a mean optimum dosage of 26 mg daily.
- Additionally, the study published in 1980 5 found that bromocriptine, when added to levodopa, resulted in improvement that was maintained, in part, for at least 2 years, with a mean daily dose of 56 mg. It's crucial to note that bromocriptine should be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, which commonly include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue, as mentioned in the study published in 2000 6.
- Dose adjustments should be made gradually to improve tolerance, and the medication should be started at a low dose and increased slowly under medical supervision to minimize adverse effects.
- The most recent and highest quality study, published in 1985 2, provides the most reliable guidance on the dosing of bromocriptine for Parkinson's disease.