Cabergoline
About Cabergoline
Cabergoline is used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin, a natural substance that allows breast development and milk production in women). Cabergoline helps stop breast milk production soon after stillbirth, abortion, miscarriage, or even after delivery if you do not want to breastfeed your baby once you have started. Besides this, Cabergoline can also be used to treat other conditions caused by hormonal disruption that can lead to the production of high levels of prolactin. This includes lack of periods, infrequent and very light menstruation, periods when there is no ovulation, and the secretion of milk from your breast without breastfeeding, even in conditions where high prolactin levels are caused by unknown causes (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia) or pituitary gland tumours in both men and women.
Cabergoline contains cabergoline, which works by mimicking the action of dopamine. Thereby decreasing the amount of prolactin in the body.
Take Cabergoline with food or after meals to avoid nausea and vomiting. Like all medicines, Cabergoline can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In some cases, you may experience blurred vision, drowsiness, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Most of these side effects are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Cabergoline if you have uncontrolled hypertension, known hypersensitivity to ergot derivatives, and heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or having kidney/liver problems. Cabergoline should not be used in children below the age of 16 years. Also, try other forms of contraception, as hormonal conditions may not be effective. Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended while on treatment with Cabergoline.
Uses of Cabergoline
Medicinal Benefits
Cabergoline belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin, a natural substance that allows breast development and milk production in women). Cabergoline helps stop breast milk production soon after stillbirth, abortion, miscarriage, or even after delivery if you do not want to breastfeed your baby once you have started. Besides this, Cabergoline can also be used to treat other conditions caused by hormonal disruption that can lead to the production of high levels of prolactin. This includes lack of periods, infrequent and very light menstruation, periods when there is no ovulation, and the secretion of milk from your breast without breastfeeding, even in conditions where high prolactin levels are caused by unknown causes (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia) or pituitary gland tumours in both men and women. Cabergoline contains cabergoline, which works by mimicking the action of dopamine. Thereby decreasing the amount of prolactin in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cabergoline
Drowsiness
Nausea
Headache
Dizziness
Vertigo
Stomach Pain
Indigestion
Inflamed Stomach Lining
Fatigue
Lack of bodily strength
Weakness
Constipation
Blurred Vision
Low Blood Pressure
Breast Pain
Depression
Sleep Disturbances
Excessive daytime drowsiness/Sleepiness
Vomiting
Hot Flushes
Drug Warnings
Cabergoline should not be taken if you are allergic to dopamine agonists or any of the ingredients of Cabergoline. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or having kidney or liver problems. Please inform your doctor about all the other medications you are taking as they might affect how Cabergoline works. Cabergoline should not be used in females below the age of 16 years. Also, try other forms of contraception, as hormonal conditions may not be effective. Do not take Cabergoline if you have ever had uncontrolled hypertension, known hypersensitivity to ergot derivatives or heart disease as it is known to contra-indicate. Regular blood pressure monitoring is required while you take Cabergoline.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: This medicine may interact with medications used to treat mental illness (chlorpromazine, haloperidol), nausea and vomiting (domperidone, metoclopramide clopramide), drugs for Parkinson’s disease, medicines for severe migraine headaches (bromocriptine, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), antibiotics (erythromycin), schizophrenia (phenothiazines, thioxanthene).
Drug-Food Interactions: Cabergoline interacts with non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have had high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney or liver problem, or mental illness.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionCabergoline is known to cause dizziness. So, intake of alcohol along with Cabergoline should not be done.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or intend to have a kid, ask your doctor for advice before taking Cabergoline. You should also be careful not to get pregnant for at least one month after you avoid taking this drug. If you become pregnant while taking Cabergoline, stop taking Cabergoline and inform your doctor, who will monitor your pregnancy, as Cabergoline can result in congenital abnormalities if you use it during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionCabergoline will stop you from producing milk for your baby, and you should not take this medicine if you plan to breastfeed.
Driving
cautionCabergoline is known to cause dizziness. So, driving or any machinery which requires concentration should be avoided.
Liver
cautionCabergoline to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCabergoline to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionCabergoline should not be used in females below the age of 16 years. It can be fatal.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Avoid alcoholic beverages with Cabergoline as they can make you feel dizzy and dehydrated and may affect your sleep.
- Monitor your blood sugar level as it is known to lower blood prolactin levels.
- Quit smoking as smoking increases the heart rate and may progress a heart ailment.
- Including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet, including plenty of fluids, vegetables, proteins, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It will also help reduce weight and lower the heart attack risk.
- Regular exercise keeps the mind thoughtful and lowers your stress level, thus reducing the prolactin level.
Special Advise
Monitor your blood pressure, kidney, and liver function test regularly.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which a person has higher-than-normal levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood. It causes infertility, decreased sex drive, and bone loss. In addition, women may have vaginal dryness, leading to pain during intercourse, Problems with menstruation, having no periods or irregular periods, and breast milk production when not pregnant or nursing. Erectile dysfunction—trouble getting or keeping an erection. Breast enlargement and decreased muscle mass and body hair may be observed in men.
FAQs
Cabergoline used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin, a natural substance that allows breast development and milk production in women).
Cabergoline works by mimicking the action of dopamine. Thereby decreasing the amount of prolactin in the body.
If you miss a dose of Cabergoline, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it's almost time for the next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
No, Cabergoline should not be taken empty stomach as it may cause nausea and vomiting. So, to avoid these side effects, take it with food or just after a meal.
Cabergoline contains cabergoline, a medication that treats high levels of prolactin in your blood.
Cabergoline is an oral medication taken by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to the treatment.
Common side effects of Cabergoline may include blurred vision, drowsiness, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Most of these side effects are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
