Sign inBefore taking quinagolide
Before taking quinagolide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you have problems with your liver or kidneys.
- If you have hypotension (low blood pressure).
- If you have ever suffered from psychosis (a mental health problem).
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take quinagolide
- Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take quinagolide exactly as your doctor has told you and follow the printed instructions you have been given. Treatment usually begins with a 'starter pack' - this is so your dose can be increased slowly over a few days. Slowly increasing your dose like this will help reduce side-effects such as dizziness and low blood pressure.
- Take your dose in the evening, with or soon after eating a meal or snack.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to check your blood pressure, particularly at the start of this treatment.
- Quinagolide should not be taken during pregnancy. If you think you may have become pregnant, see your doctor as soon as possible.
- If you do not wish to become pregnant, discuss contraception with your doctor before taking quinagolide. Hormonal forms of contraception (such as 'the pill') are not suitable while you are taking these tablets.
- In rare cases, some people taking quinagolide have experienced sudden onset of sleep with little or no warning of tiredness. If you experience this, you should see your doctor as soon as possible and avoid driving, operating machinery or other tasks where you need to be fully alert.
- Quinagolide may cause dizziness, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Getting up slowly should help.
Can quinagolide cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Avoid alcohol as it will increase any feelings of drowsiness |
| Feeling or being sick, loss of appetite, abdominal pain | Eat little and often. Stick to simple or bland foods and avoid rich, spicy foods. This usually passes as you get used to the medicine, but if it becomes troublesome, speak with your doctor who may prescribe you something to reduce the sickness |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids |
| Constipation | Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6 - 8 glasses of water each day |
| Difficulty sleeping, swollen ankles, flushing, blocked nose | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
If you experience these, or any other worrying symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store quinagolide
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Norprolac® Tablets, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2010.
- British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.