A B O U T   Y O U R   M E D I C I N E

QUINAGOLIDE

This medicine is also supplied under the trade name Norprolacâ and is available as:
Tablets containing Quinagolide 25 microgram, 50 microgram, 75 microgram and 150 microgram.

Quinagolide acts on the pituitary to block the production and release of the hormone prolactin which is over-produced when a prolactinoma is present in the gland. Prolactin in the circulation is reduced to near normal levels and there may be shrinkage of the tumour itself. Treatment is therefore associated with control of symptoms and restoration of fertility where previously affected by the condition.

Treatment is usually started at low dosage then increased gradually until the required regular (maintenance) dose has been reached. This reduces the likelihood of early side effects. A "Starter Pack" is available which may help to establish new patients on treatment.

The maintenance dose varies from patient to patient and depends up what is required to control your symptoms. Quinagolide is taken once daily at bed-time usually in a dose of 75 microgram but occasionally up to 150 microgram and, rarely, even as much as 300 microgram. It is advisable to take the dose in the middle of a light snack (see Side Effects, below)

Nausea (but not necessarily vomiting) is a common problem at the outset so that it is advisable to slowly increase your dose of Quinagolide until the required maintenance dose has been reached. A "Starter Pack" is provided for this purpose.

The following detailed schedule is provided for your guidance.

• Go to bed with a glass of milk and a sandwich.
• After drinking half the milk and eating some of the sandwich, take one 25 microgram tablet of Quinagolide, then finish the milk and sandwich.
• Do this for three nights.
• On the fourth night take one 50 microgram tablet of Quinagolide, again "sandwiched" between food.
• Do this for another three nights, then on the seventh night take one 75 microgram tablet of Quinagolide using the same routine of milk plus sandwich.
• Further dosage increases can be managed by the above strategy.

If you do develop troublesome nausea at any time this can be overcome by lowering the dose to that which you previously tolerated. You should then wait for three nights before gradually increasing the dose once more.

Effects on blood pressure/dizziness

Sudden falls in blood pressure may occur in the first few days of treatment causing dizziness especially when changing from the lying to the sitting or the sitting to the standing position. You should therefore sit up or stand up carefully to prevent dizzy turns and the risk of falling until you have become "used" to your medicine. This problem is unlikely to persist but may be more troublesome if you also take alcohol.

Headaches, abdominal discomfort, nasal congestion, constipation (and even diarrhoea) are occasionally reported by patients who take Quinagolide.

Other side effects are uncommon at the dose used for the treatment of prolactinoma. Doses of Quinagolide taken for a period of months or years have been associated with disturbances of mood and behaviour and treatment may not be appropriate for patients who suffer from mood or behavioural disorders.

If side effects persist or you feel unable to cope - contact your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine. It may be possible for your doctor to overcome any problems by prescribing treatment at a lower dosage.

Alcohol – the fact that side effects can be more troublesome if alcohol is also taken with your medicine has already been mentioned under "What side effects can be expected".

Cough/cold remedies – some constituents of these medicines (which are bought at the Chemist) may cause the blood pressure to rise too sharply and should be avoided. The constituents in question are: ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine and xylometazoline. If in doubt – check with your Pharmacist before purchasing cough or cold remedies.

Quinagolide tablets should be stored at room temperature. Keep in the original container in which they have been dispensed and protect from direct sunlight.

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Ó NHS Tayside; 2006; version 1.0

Disclaimer; no liability whatsoever is accepted for information given and all such information, especially with regard to drug usage (UK version provided), must be checked with a person’s health provider.