Cabergoline Use for Treatment of Hormonal Imbalance Called Hyperprolactinemia

Cabergoline is a prescription drug indicated for the treatment of hormonal imbalance called hyperprolactinemia. It’s a condition where there is too much production of prolactin in the blood which causes symptoms like sexual problems, infertility, and bone loss in women.

Cabergoline, an ergot derivative is a long-acting dopamine receptor agonist that’s significantly more effective than Bromocriptine in terms of:

• Normalizing the level of prolactin in the blood
• Adverse side effects
• Reducing persistent amenorrhea
• Returning the normal ovulatory cycle among those with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia
• Probability of increasing pregnancy rate

What condition does Cabergoline treat?

Cabergoline can treat different types of medical problems that occur when there are too much prolactin hormones produced such as:

• Irregular or missing menstrual period because of too much prolactin
• Stopping of ovulation resulting in infertility
• Abnormal production of breast milk in men and women
• Preventing or stopping of milk production in women following childbirth, abortion or stillbirth
• A benign tumor in the pituitary gland that causes an increase in the production of prolactin hormone
• Bone loss in women who are not breastfeeding
• It is used alone in a high dose during the early phase of Parkinson’s disease
• It is used in combination with levodopa and a decarboxylase inhibitor in treating a progressive-phase of Parkinson’s disease
• Treatment of uterine fibroid, a benign tumor in the smooth muscle of the uterus

How does Cabergoline work?

As an ergot medication, Cabergoline decreases the release of prolactin hormone by the pituitary gland by mimicking the activity of dopamine hormone in the brain. It binds to the dopamine receptors to prevent the body from releasing prolactin hormone.

High levels of prolactin in the blood can cause changes in women’s menstrual cycle. It can stop ovulation resulting in infertility and increased milk production. High prolactin levels in men can affect reproduction and cause sexual issues such as a decreased sex drive and not able to get and keep an erection.

What is the dosage of Cabergoline?

• Your dose and the duration of treatment depend on your condition and the strength of the medicine. For disorders of high prolactin levels, the typical starting dose for an adult is 0.25mg two times a week. The dose may be increased by 0.25 mg depending on the prolactin levels. The maximum recommended dose is 1 mg two times a week. Take it for at least six months.
• The use and dose for children must be determined by the doctor.
• The duration of the effects of this medication lasts for an average of 7 to 28 days.

How to take Cabergoline?

• Take Cabergoline exactly as directed by your physician. Do not take more or less than what is prescribed or for longer than the recommended treatment. Doing so may only worsen your condition or increase the chances of side effects.
• You may take the medicine with or without food.
• To minimize gastrointestinal discomforts such as nausea and indigestion, take it with food or after a meal.
• Do not take the medicine every day unless you are told to do so.
• Your doctor will regularly check your blood to measure the levels of prolactin.

What are the precautions in taking Cabergoline?

• Do not use this if:
  • You have uncontrolled high blood pressure or hypertension
  • You are allergic to it or any of its ingredients
  • You have a heart valve disorder
  • You have a decreased liver or kidney functions
  • You are pregnant
  • You are under 16 years of age
  • You are breastfeeding
  • You have a growth of excess tissue in your lungs, around your stomach and heart
• Use with care if you have:
  • Low blood pressure or hypotension
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Decreased kidney or liver function
  • Bleeding in the stomach or intestine
  • High blood pressure following a childbirth
  • Narrowing of blood vessels in the hands causing painful and numb fingers
  • History of fibrotic disorders that affects the heart, lungs or abdomen
  • A hereditary disorder called Porphyrias
  • Cardiovascular disease
• Before taking this medication tell your doctor if you have:
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure due to pregnancy
• Inform your doctor if you are taking prescription, non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products.
• Some patients who are taking this medication have developed intense urges or behaviors that were unusual for them like gambling, and increased sexual urges.
• Cabergoline can occasionally cause a drop in the blood pressure especially during the first few days of treatment. Take precautions when standing from a lying down or sitting position. If you feel dizzy, try to get up slowly until the symptoms pass.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages as this can increase your risk of feeling dizzy.
• It is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure if you are taking this medication following childbirth.
• This medicine can cause sleepiness. On rare occasions, a sudden onset of sleep. Exercise caution when performing potentially harmful activities such as driving or operating machinery.
• On rare occasions, Cabergoline can cause a fibrotic reaction, a fibrous thickening of the lining that covers some internal organs including the lungs and heart. Your doctor will have to monitor your condition more often. Symptoms of a fibrotic reaction include:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Persistent cough
  • Swelling of the lower legs
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Women who are taking Cabergoline for a long period should have a regular gynecological examination including a smear test and a pregnancy test.

Costs of Generic Cabergoline vs. Dostinex

Cabergoline is a cheaper dopamine agonist medication prescribed for patients with high prolactin hormones in the blood. It’s cheaper than the brand name Dostinex. Cabergoline 0.5 mg cost $5.62 per unit price or $45 for 8 tablets. While the brand name Dostinex 0.5 mg cost $176.74 for 8 tablets or $22.09 per unit price.