Parlodel, also known and sold under the trade name of Parlodel, is a product which belongs to a group of drugs known as ergot medications.
This medication is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, in a combination with other medications. It helps by improving the ability to move, decrease shaking (tremor), stiffness, slowed movement and unsteadiness.
This medication is considered to work by acting like a certain chemical in our brain – known as dopamine. It can be also used to stop unwanted breast milk after a pregnancy, miscarriage, or an abortion. This medication is available in a form of a tablet and a capsule.
Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Parlodel. Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential risks and side effects.
For this decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make.
During the consultations, it is very important to inform the doctor about:
Allergic reactions – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or not prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used in pediatric patients. However, it can be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
Geriatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that there are no age-related side effects and risks when this medication has been used in geriatric patients. However, due to the increased risk of confusion, liver and kidney problems in the elderly, this medication must be used with extra caution during the treatment.
Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how would it affect the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication is extracted in the milk, and it will affect the milk production if it is used in nursing mothers. This medication is not recommended to be used in nursing mothers unless it is used in order to stop unwanted milk production.
Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or not prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur.
However, sometimes, the doctor may decide to use a certain combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
Other interactions – Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific kind of food, tobacco, and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet and discontinue you use of tobacco and alcohol during the treatment with this medication.
Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment.
Especially, if there are any of the following conditions present – coronary artery disease or other serious cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, pregnancy – induced hypertension, syncopal, fever, infection, surgery, trauma, heart attack, heart or blood vessel disease, seizures, stroke, mental illness, lung disease, or liver disease.
3 Proper Usage
To use Parlodel properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication is in the form of a tablet and a capsule, for oral route.
Swallow the tablet whole, with or without water, as directed by your doctor. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet or the capsule. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment.
In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful in case of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor right away for further directions.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Parlodel, there are some precautions you must take. Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed.
These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve.
Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or not prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.
Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. At least two proven forms of birth control should be used during the treatment with this medication.
Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended to be used in nursing mothers, due to the studies that confirm that this medication is extracted in the milk and it is commonly used in order to stop unwanted breast milk.
This medication may cause dizziness or drowsiness to occur. Avoid driving and any other activities that require alertness during the treatment with this medication.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Parlodel. These side effects do not occur in all patients, also they could be mild or more serious.
However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.
These are common side effects which are not considered as serious. However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.
These are serious side effects whose presence must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. A serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common.
However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible:
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