Cabergoline is simple, effective and generally safe when given to postpartum women wishing or needing to suppress lactation. It’s been widely used in other developed countries for this purpose.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and dizziness. These usually disappear as the body adjusts to the medication. It should be taken with food. Cabergoline is removed from the body slowly by the liver, and people with hepatic insufficiency should use this medication with caution.

How Does Cabergoline Work?

Cabergoline works by binding to dopamine receptors and blocking the release of prolactin in your body. This decreases your prolactin levels and helps treat hyperprolactinemia caused by a pituitary tumor. High levels of prolactin can affect a woman’s ovulation, menstrual cycle, and breast milk production. It can also lead to a decreased sex drive and the inability to get or keep an erection (also called erectile dysfunction).

Treatment with Cabergoline Tablet can improve your fertility by normalizing irregular menstrual cycles. It can also increase your chance of ovulation and reduce the possibility of anovulation. This medication is especially useful if you are trying to conceive. It has a very high pregnancy rate and many women who have infertility issues are able to conceive after taking Cabergoline for a few years.

Some people who take this medication develop intense urges or compulsive behaviors that weren’t present before they started this drug. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. You should also let family members know of this risk so they can call for help if necessary.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about any other medications or supplements you’re taking, as Cabergoline can interact with certain drugs and cause serious side effects. It’s also crucial to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, as this can help maintain energy levels.

Side Effects

Cabergoline does not usually cause side effects. However, it is important to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet inside the pack before starting treatment, as this will include a full list of possible side effects.

Dizziness can be a common side effect of this medication, especially when first starting treatment. This can be prevented by ensuring you drink enough fluids and avoiding alcohol for the time being. In some cases, if you get very dizzy, you may need to sit or lie down, rather than stand up, to reduce the risk of falls and serious injury.

Headaches can be a common problem associated with cabergoline, although they can sometimes improve during treatment as your body adjusts. You can prevent headaches by ensuring you get plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. If headaches do persist, speak to your healthcare professional who can offer further advice.

Very rare cases of heart valve damage can occur with this medication, and it is important to have your doctor listen to your heart before you start treatment, and arrange a echocardiogram (heart scan). It is also essential that you tell your doctor about any history of liver disease, lung disease or other medical conditions, as Cabergoline may not be safe for people with these conditions. It is also a good idea to give your pharmacist a complete list of all the medications you are taking (including prescription, non-prescription, and herbal products), as some can interact with this drug.

Dosage

Cabergoline is taken orally in tablet form and is usually given twice a week. Your doctor may occasionally change your dosage, depending on how well the medication is working for you. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Cabergoline can cause low blood pressure when first starting treatment. If this is a problem for you, be sure to let your doctor know and take precautions, such as taking it with food or not getting up too quickly from a sitting or lying position.

It is also important to tell your doctor if you have other medical conditions or allergies, including to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Also inform them if you have liver problems or are taking any other medications, especially antipsychotics, lorcaserin, metoclopramide, and other ergot medicines such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine.

This drug should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There are no reliable studies of how this drug will affect a developing baby, but it is known to pass into breast milk and may cause harm to a nursing infant. If you do become pregnant, contact your doctor right away. They will perform tests to ensure you are safe for pregnancy. Then they will discuss the risks and benefits of the medication to help you make a decision. Occasionally, long-term use of this medication can cause problems with the heart valves.

Overdose

In a very few cases, people taking cabergoline have developed gambling problems or other intense urges and behaviors that are not typical for them. If you notice these side effects, call your doctor right away.

It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription drugs and herbal products. You should also let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Cabergoline may suppress your milk production and could affect the health of your baby.

This medication is not recommended for use in pregnant women, since it could harm your unborn child. It is also not safe to take with sedatives such as lorazepam or alprazolam, or anticholinergics such as atropine or hyoscine. It is also not recommended for patients with a history of depression or other mental illness. Some psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can increase the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, and mania while taking this medicine.

Long-term treatment with this drug can improve a woman’s menstrual cycle, and some studies show that microprolactinomas respond to cabergoline. It is also used as a complement to Cialis (tadalafil) in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction caused by psychological factors such as performance anxiety and low self-esteem. A small study found that this medication improved sperm quality in men with high levels of prolactin.