Cabergoline is in a group of drugs called dopamine receptor antagonists. It works by
reducing the amount of prolactin (a hormone) that is released from the pituitary gland.
Cabergoline is used to treat a hormone imbalance in which there is too much prolactin in
the blood (also called hyperprolactinemia).
Cabergoline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cabergoline?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cabergoline, or if you have:
uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
hypertension caused by pregnancy, including eclampsia
and preeclampsia; or
if you are allergic to any type of ergot medicine such as
ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray),
ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Before taking cabergoline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
heart disease; or
a breathing disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether cabergoline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take cabergoline?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Cabergoline is usually taken twice each week for at least 6 months. Do not take this
medication every day unless your doctor tells you to.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis to measure your prolactin levels. Your doctor may want to continue checking
your prolactin levels for several months after you stop taking cabergoline. Do not miss any
scheduled appointments.
Store cabergoline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of cabergoline?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about cabergoline?
Your pharmacist has information about cabergoline written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cabergoline?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using cabergoline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
cough or trouble breathing; or
feeling light-headed, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;
headache;
dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness;
numbness or tingly feeling; or
hot flashes.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about cabergoline?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cabergoline, or if you have
uncontrolled high blood pressure, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or if you are allergic to
any type of ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.
45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Before taking cabergoline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
liver disease, heart disease, or a breathing disorder.
Cabergoline is usually taken twice each week for at least 6 months. Do not take this
medication every day unless your doctor tells you to.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis to measure your prolactin levels. Your doctor may want to continue checking
your prolactin levels for several months after you stop taking cabergoline. Do not miss any
scheduled visits.
Tell your doctor if you are also taking metoclopramide (Reglan), blood pressure
medications, diuretics, or any medication to treat a psychiatric disorder.
What should I avoid while taking cabergoline?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are using cabergoline.
What other drugs will affect cabergoline?
Before using cabergoline, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
metoclopramide (Reglan);
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik);
a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol
(Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg),
esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol
(Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
(Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren);
a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc),
diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine
(Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), or verapamil (Calan, Covera,
Isoptin, Verelan);
a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor,
Moduretic), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid
(Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor,
Vasoretic, Zestoretic), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone
(Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and
others; or
other blood pressure medications such as irbesartan
(Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan
(Diovan).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with cabergoline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of cabergoline?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009