CABERGOLINE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
- Dopamine agonist
- antihyperprolactinemic
Description
Cabergoline (ca-BER-goe-leen) is used to treat different types of medicalproblems that occur when too much of the hormone prolactin is produced. Itcan be used to treat certain menstrual problems, fertility problems in menand women, and pituitary prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland).
It works by stopping the brain from making and releasing the prolactinhormone from the pituitary. Cabergoline use is usually stopped when prolactinlevels are normal for 6 months. It may be given again if symptoms of too muchprolactin occur again.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cabergoline, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to cabergoline or other ergot alkaloid medicines. Also tellyour health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Cabergoline has not been shown to cause birth defectsor other problems in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that cabergolinecauses a decrease in successful pregnancies and other problems. This is because prolactin works differently in animal pregnancies than it does in human pregnancies.Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether cabergoline passes intothe breast milk. Cabergoline should not be used by breast-feeding women orwomen planning to breast-feed within a short period of time. Reducing theamount of available prolactin is likely to stop the release of breast milkin breast-feeding women.
Children?Studies of this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of cabergolinein children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof cabergoline in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingcabergoline, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Antipsychotic medicines (medicines for mental illness) or
- Metoclopramide (e.g., Reglan)?Cabergoline may stop these medicinesfrom working properly and require a change in dose for these medicines
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of cabergoline. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- High blood pressure, untreated or
- High blood pressure of pregnancy (or history of)?Cabergolineusually decreases blood pressure but at times it may increase blood pressureand 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 takemore or less of it than your doctor ordered.
Dosing?The dose of cabergoline will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of cabergoline. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For disorders of high prolactin levels or pituitary tumors:
- Adults?0.25 mg two times a week. Dose may be increased everyfour weeks as needed, according to body prolactin levels, up to 1 mg two timesa week.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible within 1 or 2 days. However, if it is almost time for yournext dose, check with your doctor to see if you can double your dose.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It isimportant that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while youare taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alertthan they are normally. Make sure you know how you reactto this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that requireyou to be alert.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when youget up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help.
Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant. Youand your doctor should discuss whether you should continue to take this medicineduring pregnancy.
Check with your doctor right away if you havesymptoms of fainting, hallucinations, lightheadedness, stuffy nose, or racingheart.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
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 abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Developed: 06/30/1998
Revised: 03/05/2001
