CABERGOLINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Dostinex

GENERIC NAME(S): CABERGOLINE

Description: Cabergoline is a long-acting dopamine D₂-agonist that slows down the release of prolactin in the brain.

Uses

This ergot medication treats high levels of prolactin hormone in your body with symptoms such as unwanted breast milk, missed periods and difficulty becoming pregnant. Men can also be affected with high levels of prolactin showing symptoms such as enlarged breasts and decreased sexual ability/desire. It works by blocking the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland.

How to use cabergoline

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice a week or as directed by your doctor.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment (prolactin levels). Your doctor will start you at a low dose and slowly increase your dose over several months to help decrease side effects. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark the days on the calendar when you need to take the medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Warnings

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

nausea
vomiting
stomach upset
constipation
dizziness
lightheadedness
tiredness

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur:

shortness of breath
persistent cough
swelling ankles/feet
unusual tiredness
mental/mood changes (such as nervousness)
unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges)
vision changes
painful menses
breast pain

Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

chest pain
lower back/flank pain
change in the amount of urine

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

Allergic reaction to this medication.
Patients with medical history of:
- liverdisease
- high blood pressure(hypertension)
- heartvalve disease
- abnormal scarring/thickening of the lining in thelungs/heart/behind the abdomen(pulmonary/pericardial/retroperitoneal fibrosis)
Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery.
Used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions

Antipsychotic medications (such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thiothixene), metoclopramide and prochlorperazine may interact with this drug.

Other medications may affect how cabergoline works. Examples include:

certain azole antifungals (such asitraconazole,ketoconazole, posaconazole)
cobicistat
macrolideantibiotics (such asclarithromycin, erythromycin)
HIVprotease inhibitors (such as ritonavir, saquinavir)

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness, fainting, and mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations).

Notes: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as prolactin levels, EKG) should be performed before starting and while you are taking this medication to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.