Cabergoline: what it is and when you might need it
Cabergoline is a prescription medicine that lowers prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland. Doctors use it most often for high prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) and prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors (prolactinomas). It’s a dopamine agonist — that means it mimics dopamine to tell the pituitary to stop making so much prolactin.
How cabergoline works & common uses
By activating dopamine receptors in the brain, cabergoline reduces prolactin release. That shrinking effect can restore normal menstrual cycles, improve fertility, reduce milk production after pregnancy (when unwanted), and often shrink small prolactinomas. Compared with older drugs, cabergoline usually works well with fewer doses per week.
Dosing, side effects, interactions & safety tips
Typical dosing for prolactin issues starts low and increases slowly. Many doctors begin at 0.25 mg twice a week and adjust based on blood tests and symptoms. Usual long-term doses are low compared with Parkinson’s treatment, which uses higher amounts. Never change dose without medical advice.
Common side effects are nausea, headache, dizziness (especially when standing), constipation, tiredness, and nasal congestion. These often improve after the first weeks. Less common but serious issues include low blood pressure (fainting), heart valve changes with long-term high doses, and psychiatric effects like mood swings or impulse-control problems (gambling, compulsive shopping). If you notice fainting, chest pain, new shortness of breath, or big mood changes, contact your clinician right away.
Drug interactions matter. Combining cabergoline with other dopamine agonists or certain psychiatric drugs can affect movement or mental state. Some antiemetics and antibiotics can change how cabergoline works. Also tell your doctor about blood pressure meds, antidepressants, or antipsychotics. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss risks and benefits — cabergoline may harm pregnancy plans or lactation and isn’t a simple choice.
Monitoring usually means regular prolactin blood tests and symptom checks. For long-term therapy, especially at higher doses, some doctors recommend periodic heart checks (echocardiogram) because of a possible link to valve problems. Your doctor will balance benefits and risks based on dose and treatment length.
Thinking of buying cabergoline online? Make sure the pharmacy is legitimate and requires a prescription. Fake or poorly made meds can be ineffective or dangerous. Always keep your prescriber in the loop about where you get medicine and any side effects you notice.
Bottom line: cabergoline is an effective option for lowering prolactin and treating prolactinomas when used under medical supervision. Ask your healthcare provider about starting dose, what to expect, and how you’ll be monitored so you can get the best result with the least risk.
