Two medicines, side by side
Benztropine vs bromocriptine
Benztropine and bromocriptine are both labeled for parkinson's disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of benztropine since 1954 and of bromocriptine since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.0753 per benztropine mes 1 mg tablet and $1.61 per bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Bromocriptine's other strengths are brand-only: $5.26 per Cycloset 0.8 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, benztropine is an antihistamine and bromocriptine an ergot derivative.
Check it at the source: the benztropine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 9, 2026); the bromocriptine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 27, 2026).
Highlights of the benztropine record
Benztropine (Cogentin) · label of January 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenztropine mesylate tablets are indicated for use as an adjunct in the therapy of all forms of parkinsonism. Useful also in the control of extrapyramidal disorders (except tardive dyskinesia – see PRECAUTIONS ) due to neuroleptic drugs (e.g., phenothiazines).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 5, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0753 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the bromocriptine record
Bromocriptine (Parlodel) · label of July 27, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBromocriptine mesylate is an ergot derivative indicated for the treatment of: Hyperprolactinemia-associated dysfunction including amenorrhea with or without galactorrhea, infertility, or hypogonadism in adults (1.1) Prolactin-secreting adenomas in adults and pediatric patients 11 years of age and older (1.2). Acromegaly in adults (1.3). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 28, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.61 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Benztropine label of January 9, 2026, Bromocriptine label of July 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do benztropine and bromocriptine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, benztropine is an antihistamine and bromocriptine an ergot derivative.
Generics: benztropine since 1985; bromocriptine since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Benztropine | Bromocriptine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Parkinson's disease | Parkinson's disease, Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Anticholinergic, Antihistamine | Ergot Derivative |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Bromocriptine mesylate contains bromocriptine, an ergot derivative and dopamine receptor agonist, which activates post-synaptic dopamine receptors. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | mocriptine mesylate dose (two 2.5 mg tablets) to five healthy volunteers under fasted conditions, the mean peak bromocriptine plasma levels, time to reach peak bromocriptine plasma concentrations and elimination … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 5, 1954 | June 28, 1978 |
| First generic approved | April 11, 1985 | January 13, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0753 per tablet (Benztropine mes 1 mg tablet) | $1.61 per tablet (Bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,287 | 646 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to benztropine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions