Taking NORPROLAC

• NORPROLAC tablets are indicated for the treatment of high levels of the hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia) in the blood

Important Information for Patients:

• NORPROLAC (quinagolide hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine used to treat patients who have hyperprolactinaemia (see ‘What is hyperprolactinaemia’)
   
• NORPROLAC may be prescribed in order to correct the signs and symptoms associated with hyperprolactinaemia, such as to restore regular menstrual cycles and fertility
   
• Do not use NORPROLAC if you are allergic to NORPROLAC (quinagolide) or any of its ingredients
   
• There is limited data to support the use of NORPROLAC in pregnant women. There is no data to support the use of NORPROLAC in children or elderly patients

How do I take NORPROLAC?

• NORPROLAC should be taken once a day with some food at bedtime
   
• Your doctor may initiate treatment with NORPROLAC with a ‘starter pack’ to allow your treatment to be individualised over a period of 7 days
   
  • The starter pack allows the dosage of NORPROLAC to be gradually increased to optimise the effectiveness and safety of your treatment
     
  • With the starter pack, your treatment begins with NORPROLAC 25 µg/day for the first 3 days, followed by 50 µg/day for a further 3 days. From day 7 onwards, the recommended maintenance dose is 75 µg/day
     
  • The appropriate dose for your treatment will be determined by your physician and may exceed 75 µg/day

How does NORPROLAC work?

• NORPROLAC mimics the action of dopamine, a substance called a neurotransmitter found in the brain
   
• Dopamine reduces prolactin release by binding to the cells that make prolactin in an area of the brain called the pituitary gland
   
  • A range of drug treatments that mimic the action of dopamine on its receptors have been used for treating hyperprolactinaemia
     
• Your doctor may measure prolactin levels in your blood at regular intervals during NORPROLAC treatment to ensure that your maintenance dosage provides the best therapeutic effect

Safety information

• You must not take NORPROLAC if:
   
  • You are hypersensitive to NORPROLAC (quinagolide) or any of its ingredients
     
  • You have impaired liver or kidney function
     
• If you wish to conceive you may continue to take NORPROLAC until it is confirmed that you are pregnant; you should stop taking NORPROLAC once your pregnancy is confirmed
   
• If you experience drowsiness while taking NORPROLAC you must not drive or operate machinery
   
• During the first few days of NORPROLAC treatment you may experience undesirable effects that will usually disappear when treatment is continued. These include:
   
  • Nausea
     
  • Vomiting
     
  • Headache
     
  • Dizziness
     
  • Tiredness
     
• Dizziness and fainting may occur when you stand up because NORPROLAC may initially cause your blood pressure to lower. Your doctor may check your blood pressure in both lying and standing positions during the first few days of NORPROLAC therapy, and after dosage increases
   
• The tolerability of NORPROLAC may be reduced by alcohol

For more information, please see full product information for NORPROLAC: Product information - 150 µg dose and Product information - 25, 50 and 75 µg dose.