Bromocriptine Mesylate and Crestor

• Generic Name: bromocriptine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Parlodel, Cycloset

Treatment of male and female dysfunctions associated with hyperprolactinemia, including amenorrhea and/or galactorrhea, hypogonadism, and infertility.

Used in patients with prolactin-secreting adenomas (e.g., prolactinoma), including macroadenomas, to decrease tumor size; may be used prior to surgery in patients undergoing excision of the tumor (adenectomy).

Treatment of female infertility associated with hyperprolactinemia; used to induce ovulation in appropriately selected anovulatory women.

Treatment of hypogonadism and galactorrhea that persist following radiation therapy or surgery in hyperprolactinemic males with prolactin-secreting adenomas and adequate testosterone concentrations. Some clinicians consider bromocriptine the treatment of choice for reduction of large tumors (macroadenomas).

Symptomatic management of idiopathic or postencephalitic parkinsonian syndrome.

Used as an adjunct to levodopa for the symptomatic management of parkinsonian syndrome in patients with advanced disease.

Has been used as monotherapy for initial symptomatic management of parkinsonian syndrome. Most clinicians would use levodopa for initial therapy in individuals >70 years of age (less likely than younger individuals to develop levodopa-related motor complications and because of concerns about cognitive dysfunction), in patients with cognitive impairment, and in those with severe disease. A dopamine receptor agonist may be preferred for initial therapy in patients ≤70 years of age.

Treatment of acromegaly, alone or as adjunctive therapy with pituitary irradiation or surgery.

Has been used to increase sperm counts and restore fertility in oligospermic men without hyperprolactinemia who are unresponsive to traditional drug therapy.

Has been used to relieve extrapyramidal reactions, hyperthermia, and hypertension of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with neuroleptic drug therapy (e.g., haloperidol, fluphenazine).

Has been used in the management of chronic hepatic encephalopathy.

Used in the past for prevention of postpartum breast engorgement; FDA has withdrawn approval of bromocriptine for this indication because the risk of serious, potentially fatal adverse effects outweigh the limited benefits associated with this use. (See Cardiovascular Effects under Cautions.)

• Generic Name: rosuvastatin
• Dosage Forms: tablet, film coated
• Other Brand Names: Crestor, Ezallor Sprinkle

Crestor (rosuvastatin) belongs to a a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Rosuvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Crestor is used in adults and children who are at least 8 years old to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Crestor is used in adults to slow the progression of atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque in blood vessels that can block blood flow).

Crestor is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and certain other heart complications in men 50 years and older and women 60 years and older who have coronary heart disease or other risk factors.

Crestor is also used to treat hereditary forms of high cholesterol, including the heterozygous type (inherited from one parent) and the homozygous type (inherited from both parents). For the heterozygous type, Crestor can be used in children who are at least 8 years old. For the homozygous type, this medicine can be used in children as young as 7 years old.