Cabergoline is a medication that is prescribed for drying up breast milk. It works by inhibiting the production of prolactin, which is the hormone responsible for triggering milk production in the mammary glands.

This medication remedy can also be indicated for the treatment of health problems related to increased prolactin production, such as amenorrhea or a benign pituitary tumor.

Cabergoline can be obtained with a prescription at a pharmacy, in the form of 0.5 mg tablets.

What it's for

Cabergoline can be prescribe for the following situations:

Interrupting milk production in women who do not desire to breastfeed
Interrupting milk production in women who have already started breastfeeding
Lack of period
Reducing period flow or frequency
Absence of ovulation
Milk production that occurs outside of a post-partum period
A benign tumor in the pituitary gland
Idiopathic hyperprolactinemia
Empty sella syndrome

This medication works by imitating the action of dopamine in the brain, a substance that naturally inhibits the production of prolactin. By reducing prolactin levels, milk production is no longer triggered in the mammary glands.

How to take

Cabergoline should be taken orally, with a glass of water, preferably with or after a meal, and at the times established by the doctor.

Typically, the recommended doses of cabergoline will depend on the condition being treated and the patient's prolactin levels. See specific dosing below:

Interrupting milk production in women who have not started breastfed: the normally recommended dose of cabergoline is 1 mg (2 tablets of 0.5 mg) taken as a single dose, on the first day after giving birth
Interrupting milk production in women who have already started breastfeeding: the normally recommended dose of cabergoline is 0.25 mg (half a 0.5 mg tablet), every 12 hours, for 2 days.
Reducing prolactin levels to treat hormonal conditions: the normally recommended initial dose of cabergoline is 0.5 mg per week, which can be taken in a single dose, or divided into two doses of 0.25 mg taken on different days. These doses can be increased by the doctor according to the response to treatment, up to a maximum of 4.5 mg per week.

The treatment duration of cabergoline should be determined by your doctor, as it depends on the condition being treated and the patient0s response to treatment.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with cabergoline are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, headache, dizziness, vertigo, weakness, fatigue, constipation or a sudden decrease in blood pressure when standing up. .

Cabergoline can also lead to increased libido, hypersexuality, gaming urges or psychotic disorders. You should notify your doctor if these side effects occur.

Additionally, cabergoline can cause serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. If you notice symptoms like difficulty breathing, a feeling of a closed throat, hives or swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, discontinue treatment immediately and proceed to the nearest emergency room.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath even when lying down, chest pain, dry cough, intense dizziness, fainting,, pain in the side or lower back, decreased urine, and swelling in the feet or ankles after taking cabergoline.

Contraindications for use

Cabergoline should not be taken by children or adolescents under the age of 16, or by people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, heart valve disease, lung fibrosis, heart or stomach conditions, breathing problems, liver disease or low blood pressure.

Furthermore, this medication should not be used by people who are allergic to cabergoline, ergot alkaloids or any of the components of the formula.

Cabergoline should not be used during pregnancy or by women who have high blood pressure caused by pregnancy, including eclampsia or preeclampsia, or high blood pressure after giving birth.

Cabergoline should be used with caution in people with lactose intolerance, as it contains lactose in its formulation.