Cabergoline

Pronunciation: ka-BER-goe-leen
Generic Name: Cabergoline
Brand Name: Dostinex

Cabergoline is used for:

Treating disorders associated with high levels of the hormone prolactin, either due to tumors in the pituitary gland or to unknown causes. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor agonist. It works by blocking prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland.

Do NOT use Cabergoline if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cabergoline or to ergot derivatives (eg, ergotamine)


• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure


• you have a history of heart valve problems or certain fibrotic (scarring) disorders (eg, of the lung, heart, kidneys)


• you are taking a butyrophenone (eg, haloperidol), metoclopramide, a phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), or a thioxanthene (eg, thiothixene)


• you have taken or will be taking a "triptan" (eg, sumatriptan) within 24 hours before or after taking Cabergoline

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cabergoline:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cabergoline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have liver problems or high blood pressure


• if you have developed high blood pressure caused by pregnancy


• if you take any medicine that may lower blood pressure or cause heart valve problems. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may lower blood pressure or cause heart valve problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cabergoline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Macrolides (eg, clarithromycin) because they may increase the risk of Cabergoline's side effects


• Butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), metoclopramide, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or thioxanthenes (eg, thiothixene) because they may decrease Cabergoline's effectiveness


• "Triptans " (eg, sumatriptan) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Cabergoline

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cabergoline may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cabergoline:

Use Cabergoline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Cabergoline by mouth with or without food.


• It may be helpful to mark on a calendar which days you are supposed to take Cabergoline.


• If you miss a dose of Cabergoline, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cabergoline.

Important safety information:

• Cabergoline may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cabergoline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Cabergoline may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Some patients taking Cabergoline have developed certain behavioral changes (eg, increased gambling or sexual urges). These effects usually go away when treatment with Cabergoline is stopped. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual behavioral changes.


• If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor so that a pregnancy test can be arranged.


• Lab tests, including chest x-rays, blood prolactin levels, and heart and kidney function, may be performed while you use Cabergoline. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Cabergoline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cabergoline while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cabergoline is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cabergoline.

Possible side effects of Cabergoline:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; headache; indigestion; mild stomach pain; nausea; tiredness or weakness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; behavior changes (eg, aggression, increased gambling or sexual urges); burning, numbness, or tingling; chest pain; confusion; decreased urination; fainting; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); persistent cough; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; severe stomach pain or tenderness; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, ankles, legs, or feet; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Cabergoline side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; hallucinations; nasal congestion.

Proper storage of Cabergoline:

Store Cabergoline at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Cabergoline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cabergoline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Cabergoline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cabergoline. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Cabergoline resources

• Cabergoline Side Effects (in more detail)
• Cabergoline Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Cabergoline Drug Interactions
• Cabergoline Support Group
• 4 Reviews for Cabergoline - Add your own review/rating

• Cabergoline Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Cabergoline Prescribing Information (FDA)


• cabergoline Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• cabergoline Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Dostinex Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Cabergoline with other medications

• Hyperprolactinemia