Pronunciation:

ka-BER-goe-leen

Brand Names:

• Dostinex

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Prolactin Secretion Inhibitor

Pharmacologic—

Dopamine Agonist

Uses of This Medicine:

Cabergoline is used to treat different types of medical problems that occur when too much of the hormone prolactin is produced. It can be used to treat certain menstrual problems, fertility problems in men and women, and pituitary prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland).

It works by stopping the brain from making and releasing the prolactin hormone from the pituitary. Cabergoline use is usually stopped when prolactin levels are normal for 6 months. It may be given again if symptoms of too much prolactin occur again.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cabergoline in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cabergoline in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and adjustment of dosage in patients receiving cabergoline .

Pregnancy—

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast-feeding—

Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Fibrotic disorders (scar-like tissues in the heart or lungs), or history of or
• High blood pressure, uncontrolled—Should not be used in patients with these conditions .

• Heart disease (or history of) or
• Lung disorder (or history of)—Use with caution. Cabergoline may worsen these conditions .

• High blood pressure or
• High blood pressure of pregnancy (or history of)—Cabergoline usually decreases blood pressure but at times it may increase blood pressure and worsen these conditions.

• Liver disease, mild to severe—Cabergoline may worsen this condition; a lower dose of cabergoline may be required.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Do not take more or less of it than your doctor ordered.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For disorders of high prolactin levels or pituitary tumors:
    • Adults—0.25 milligram (mg) two times a week. Dose may be increased every four weeks as needed, according to body prolactin levels, up to 1 mg two times a week.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor .

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

However, if it is almost time for your next dose, check with your doctor to see if you can double your dose.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while you are taking this medicine to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help.

Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant. You and your doctor should discuss whether you should continue to take this medicine during pregnancy.

Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms of fainting, hallucinations, lightheadedness, stuffy nose, or racing heart.

This medicine may increase your risk of having problems with your heart valves. Check with your doctor right away if you notice any signs or symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or tightness; troubled breathing; shortness of breath; extreme tiredness; or swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet .

Also tell your doctor if you have persistent cough along with shortness of breath or troubled breathing while you are using this medicine. This could be symptoms of a serious lung disorder called pulmonary fibrosis .

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Abdominal pain

sensation that you are moving in space or that objects are moving around you (vertigo)

Rare

Changes in vision

difficulty in concentrating

dizziness or fainting when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

loss of appetite

swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

unusually fast heartbeat

weight gain or loss

Incidence not determined

Chest pain or tightness

cough

decreased ability to exercise

fever

shortness of breath

trouble in breathing

Symptoms of overdose

Fainting

hallucinations

lightheadedness

racing heart

stuffy nose

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Constipation

dizziness

headache

nausea or stomach discomfort

weakness

Less common

Burning, itching, or stinging of the skin

diarrhea

dry mouth or toothache

gas

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hot flashes

mental depression

muscle or joint pain

runny nose

sleepiness

sore throat

trouble in sleeping

vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.