Cabergoline
About Cabergoline
Cabergoline contains the active ingredient of cabergoline. This medicine belongs to a class of drugs called 'dopamine agonists.' Dopamine is naturally formed in the body and helps to send signals to the brain, which treats 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 the 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.
Take Cabergoline with food or after meals to avoid nausea and vomiting. Take Cabergoline in dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Never encourage self-medication or suggest your medicine to someone else. 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 of Cabergoline 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 as it is known to contraindicate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or having kidney or liver problems. 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. Regular blood pressure monitoring is required while you take Cabergoline.
Uses of Cabergoline
Medicinal Benefits
Cabergoline contains cabergoline; the advantage of taking it is that it will reduce the level of prolactin in your blood and the effects you have encountered. It works by increasing the brain chemical called dopamine, which decreases the amount of prolactin released. Besides this, Cabergoline can also be used to treat other conditions caused by the 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.
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
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.
No, alcohol should not be taken along with Cabergoline as it might cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness.
No, it is advised not to take Cabergoline if you are planning pregnancy as it is known to cause harm to the baby and can be fatal for the mother and the baby.
No, Cabergoline should is not recommended for children below the age of 16 years. Its safety and efficacy are not known in children.
It is recommended not to take Cabergoline if you are sugar intolerant as it contains sugar and may lead to unpleasant side effects. Consult your doctor before taking Cabergoline and for best results, do as prescribed.
