This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Cycloset; Parlodel
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat acromegaly.
- It is used to treat high prolactin levels.
- It is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- It is used to treat some prolactin-secreting tumors.
- It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
All products:
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have been told that your body has problems with certain sugars (lactose, glucose, galactose).
- If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for mental or mood problems, migraines, stomach or bowel problems, and others. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
- If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
- If you have just had a baby.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- If you have fainting headaches.
- If you have mental illness.
- If you have type 1 diabetes. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes.
- If you have an acidic blood problem.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
- If you have ever felt sleepy or have fallen asleep all of a sudden when taking this drug, avoid doing tasks or actions that may not be safe for you or others if you pass out. These are driving, climbing, and swimming.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
- Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
- Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- If you have been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
- Follow the diet and exercise plan that your doctor told you about.
- Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
Products used for all other reasons:
- Some people who took this drug to treat acromegaly had bleeding from the stomach or bowel ulcers. Sometimes this has been deadly. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, use a non-hormone kind of birth control like a condom when taking this drug. You may need to also have pregnancy tests while taking this drug.
Parkinson’s disease:
- The chance of a type of skin cancer called melanoma may be raised in people with Parkinson’s disease. It is not known if this drug may also raise the chance. Have skin exams while you take this drug. Talk with your doctor.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe and sometimes deadly health problem that has happened when drugs like this one were stopped all of a sudden. NMS has also happened when the dose was lowered. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast or abnormal heartbeat, or are sweating a lot.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
- Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
Products used for all other reasons:
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Falling asleep during activities such as eating or talking.
- Back pain.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Seizures.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Feeling confused.
Parkinson’s disease:
- Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- Constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Headache.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
Products used for all other reasons:
- Headache.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Constipation.
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Trouble sleeping.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- Take with food to prevent an upset stomach.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- Take within 2 hours of waking up.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Products used for high blood sugar (diabetes):
- If you miss a dose, wait until the next day to take your normal dose.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Products used for all other reasons:
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-08-01
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