Uses

This medication is used to treat high levels of prolactin hormone in your body. High levels of prolactin in women can cause symptoms such as unwanted breast milk and missed periods and can cause difficulty becoming pregnant. High levels of prolactin in men can cause symptoms such as enlarged breasts and decreased sexual ability/desire. Cabergoline is an ergot medication and works by blocking the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice a week.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment (prolactin levels). Your doctor will start you at a low dose and slowly increase your dose over several months to help decrease side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark the days on the calendar when you need to take the medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, constipation, dizziness, lightheadedness, or tiredness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• cough that doesn't go away
• mental/mood changes (such as nervousness)
• unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges)
• vision changes
• painful menses
• breast pain
• symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain)

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• chest pain
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, lower back/flank pain)

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking cabergoline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ergot medications (such as ergotamine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• liver disease
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• heart valve disease
• abnormal scarring/thickening of the lining in the lungs/heart/behind the abdomen (pulmonary/pericardial/retroperitoneal fibrosis)

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. This medication may affect breast milk production. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• lorcaserin
• metoclopramide
• prochlorperazine

Other medications can affect the removal of cabergoline from your body, which may affect how cabergoline works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), cobicistat, HIV protease inhibitors (such as saquinavir), ritonavir, among others.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness, fainting, mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations).

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as prolactin levels, EKG) should be done before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.