Cabergoline, Oral
What are other names for this medicine?
Generic and brand names: cabergoline, oral; Dostinex
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin in your blood). It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?
Tell your health care provider if you have a history of liver disease.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, contact your health care provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.
How should I take it?
This medicine is usually taken twice a week. Try taking this medicine on the same 2 days each week (such as Monday and Thursday) to help you remember when to take this medicine.
Your health care provider may start you on a lower dose and then gradually increase your dosage depending on your response to the medicine. Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. If you have questions about how to take this medicine, ask your health care provider or pharmacist to explain.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.
What should I watch out for?
You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Serious (report these to your health care provider): Dizziness that does not go away when you lie down for a while.
Other: Headache, nausea, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:
- medicines to lower blood pressure
- prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- haloperidol (Haldol)
- thioridazine (Mellaril)
- thiothixene (Navane)
- fluphenazine hydrochloride (Permitil or Prolixin)
- metoclopramide (Reglan)
- mesoridazine (Serentil)
- promazine hydrochloride (Sparine)
- trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
- perphenazine (Trilafon)
- triflupromazine (Vesprin).
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
