Parlodel Protects Both Body And Mind

What is Parlodel?

Parlodel (Bromocriptine) belongs to a class of semi-synthetic drugs called dopamine receptor stimulants. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain. As this is known to have differing effects, it is used for treating different conditions.

What does Parlodel treat?

Bromocriptine is commonly used to treat disorders resulting from excessively high blood levels of the hormone prolactin. Bromocriptine acts on the pituitary gland in the brain by stimulating dopamine receptors, and so decreasing prolactin production.

Dopamine levels are thought to decline after the age of 40, with a healthy person experiencing a decline of roughly 13% per decade. Dopamine is essential for healthy brain activity, therefore protecting and enhancing dopamine producing neurons may help to prevent brain aging.

Bromocriptine has been used to treat Parkinson's disease. As those suffering with the disease have reduced levels of dopamine, Bromocriptine may help to reduce some of the symptoms associated with the disease by its action of stimulating dopamine receptors. As a result, it is used both in the management of mental degenerative conditions, as well as in a preventative capacity by those trying to delay age-related mental decline.

High prolactin levels are also associated with abnormal breast milk production in both men and women (galactorrhoea), and suppression of the sexual glands (hypogonadism), which may result in infertility. They are also commonly associated with menstrual problems.

As prolactin stimulates the production of breast milk, Bromocriptine may be used to prevent or even stop milk production following childbirth, miscarriage or abortion. The drug has also been used to reduce prolactin production when treating a type of pituitary gland tumor, called prolactinoma.

Bromocriptine also has an impact on growth hormone. It increases its secretion in those with normal levels, and appears to suppress it in those suffering from acromegaly (excessive growth hormone production).

A recent study of Bromocriptine suggests that it may be useful in treating Type II diabetes through its ability to suppress lipogenesis (converting carbohydrates to fat) and improve insulin resistance.