Two medicines, side by side
Bromocriptine vs pramipexole
Bromocriptine and pramipexole are both labeled for parkinson's disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bromocriptine since 1978 and of pramipexole since 1997. Pharmacies paid $1.61 per bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablet and $0.0452 per pramipexole 0.25 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, bromocriptine is an ergot derivative and pramipexole a nonergot dopamine agonist.
Check it at the source: the bromocriptine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 27, 2026); the pramipexole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2026).
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
Highlights of the pramipexole record
Pramipexole (Mirapex) · label of March 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPramipexole dihydrochloride is a non-ergot dopamine agonist indicated for the treatment of: Parkinson's disease (PD) ( 1.1 ) Moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Parkinson’s Disease Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. 1.2 Restless Legs Syndrome Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0452 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bromocriptine label of July 27, 2026, Pramipexole label of March 31, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bromocriptine and pramipexole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bromocriptine is an ergot derivative and pramipexole a nonergot dopamine agonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Bromocriptine, “Bromocriptine mesylate contains bromocriptine, an ergot derivative and dopamine receptor agonist, which activates post-synaptic dopamine receptors.”; Pramipexole, “of pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets as a treatment for RLS is unknown.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Bromocriptine, “mocriptine mesylate dose (two 2.5 mg tablets) to five healthy volunteers under fasted conditions, the mean peak …”; Pramipexole, “Its terminal half-life is about 8 hours in young healthy volunteers and about 12 hours in elderly volunteers.”
Generics: bromocriptine since 1998; pramipexole since 2008 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bromocriptine | Pramipexole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Parkinson's disease, Type 2 diabetes | Parkinson's disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Ergot Derivative | Nonergot Dopamine Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Bromocriptine mesylate contains bromocriptine, an ergot derivative and dopamine receptor agonist, which activates post-synaptic dopamine receptors. | of pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets as a treatment for RLS is unknown. Although the pathophysiology of RLS is largely unknown, neuropharmacological evidence suggests primary dopaminergic system involvement. |
| Half-life (label) | 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 … | Its terminal half-life is about 8 hours in young healthy volunteers and about 12 hours in elderly volunteers. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 28, 1978 | July 1, 1997 |
| First generic approved | January 13, 1998 | February 19, 2008 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.61 per tablet (Bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablet) | $0.0452 per tablet (Pramipexole 0.25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 16 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 646 | 19,752 |
| 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 bromocriptine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions