Cabergoline is an ergot derivative that works like dopamine to stop the body from making too much prolactin. It is a prescription medication that comes as a tablet to take by mouth two times a week.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have a history of high blood pressure, lung or heart problems, liver disease, and any other medications you are taking.
Dosage
Cabergoline is used to treat hyperprolactinemia, but some bodybuilders are exploring it as a way to enhance muscle growth. This is called off-label use, and it raises some health and safety concerns.
To reduce the risk of side effects, you should take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. If you are unsure about how to take this drug, consult your doctor or pharmacist for help. This drug comes as a tablet that you take by mouth twice per week, usually before meals. If your doctor has instructed you to take a lower dose, follow his or her instructions.
This medication may cause a condition that affects the heart valves. You may be more likely to develop this condition if you are older, smoke, or have other health problems. To reduce the risk, you should avoid smoking and drink only small amounts of alcohol while taking this medication.
Cabergoline can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate. This could lead to a heart attack or stroke. To help reduce the risk, you should be closely monitored with an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms:
Other possible side effects of this drug include drowsiness, dry eyes, headache, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, shaky hands, and a decreased appetite. These side effects are most likely to occur if you take a high dosage or use this medication for long periods of time.
If you are using this drug to treat an abnormally high prolactin level, your doctor will probably monitor your condition very closely. This will include regular blood tests and an ECG to check for abnormal heart rhythms.
Your doctor should also know if you have a history of heart disease, or other conditions such as liver disease, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, a stomach ulcer, or an allergic reaction to any ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate) or methylergonovine (Methergine). Your doctor will perform these tests before prescribing this medication for you.
Side Effects
Cabergoline Bodybuilding is a prescription drug that comes in tablet form to take by mouth. It is used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin in your body). It works by blocking the release of the hormone prolactin from the pituitary gland. This medication is also known by the brand name Dostinex.
It is an ergot derivative that acts a bit like the brain chemical dopamine. It is a dopamine receptor agonist that decreases the amount of prolactin that your body makes. It is also sometimes used by bodybuilders in combination with anabolic steroids to enhance muscle growth.
Taking this medicine may cause certain side effects, such as dizziness, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, breast tenderness, and increased libido. If these side effects persist or become severe, talk to your doctor. Other possible side effects include a headache, dry mouth, and tiredness.
Some people have serious allergic reactions to this drug, and in rare cases this can be fatal. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. Other possible symptoms of an allergic reaction include a rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
This medication can cause a condition called fibrosis, where the tissue in your body gets scarred or hardened. This can happen in your lungs or around your heart, or on the surface of your stomach or skin. It can also occur in your blood vessels and muscles. You are more likely to get fibrosis if you have a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes. It is also more common if you are older, or have had a stroke or heart attack.
You should not take this medication if you have a heart valve problem or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also increase your risk of pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and birth defects. It is important to use effective birth control if you take this medication, because high prolactin levels can affect your ability to get pregnant. You should also not stop using this medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Interactions
Cabergoline interacts with a number of substances and may cause serious side effects. It should not be taken by people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, or heart problems. It also should not be used if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding. The medication should be discontinued if an inflammatory or allergic reaction occurs.
Cabergoline, sold under the brand name Dostinex among others, is a dopaminergic agent used to treat high prolactin levels and prolactin tumors. It has been shown to be more effective than bromocriptine in lowering PRL levels and causing tumor shrinkage. Its higher affinity for D2 receptor sites, less severe side effects, and convenient dosing schedule make it a preferred agent in many patients. Cabergoline has also been found to improve metabolic parameters such as cholesterol and fasting insulin levels.
The drug has been found to be well absorbed after oral administration. Peak plasma levels are reached within 2 to 3 hours. The half-life of the drug in the blood is between 63 and 109 hours. It is eliminated mainly through the kidneys and liver. Less than 4% of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in urine. The drug is moderately bound to human plasma proteins.
Animal studies have shown that cabergoline is distributed throughout the body. It has been shown to accumulate in the pituitary gland, where its effect on prolactin appears to be long-lasting. It has also been found in the liver and brain. Radioactivity in the pituitary gland and liver was greater than that in the blood and urine. Studies in pregnant rats at daily doses of 0.012 mg/kg (approximately 1/7 the maximum recommended human dose) showed no maternal toxicity, but did cause post-implantation embryofetal losses.
It has been reported that some people taking this medication develop intense urges or behaviors that are compulsive or unusual for them. These include a need to gamble, binge eating, compulsive buying, and increased sexual urges. It is important to call the doctor if you experience these symptoms. It is also important to inform family members of the risk so that they can contact the doctor for you if needed.
Precautions
As with all medicines, some people may experience unwanted side effects although not everyone gets them. You can find a full list in the manufacturer’s information leaflet provided with your medicine. The unwanted effects usually improve as your body adjusts to the medicine, but speak with your doctor if they continue or become troublesome.
This drug is used to treat hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin, which can cause problems such as breast milk and missed periods in women; enlarged breasts and decreased sexual desire and ability in men). It’s also used to help with some types of Parkinson’s disease in some people.
Cabergoline is a prescription medication and comes as an oral tablet. Take it by mouth with a glass of water and at your usual mealtimes to reduce the risk of stomach upset. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and gradually increase your dosage. It’s important to take this medicine at the same time each day or as instructed by your doctor.
This medicine can cause dizziness, especially when you first start taking it. It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol and other drugs that can affect your balance while you’re taking it. You should also get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to help prevent falls. If you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease, tell your doctor before you start taking this medicine. It can raise your blood pressure and worsen these conditions. It can also increase your risk of a certain type of fibrosis (which causes organ tissue to scar and harden).
You should not take this medication if you’re allergic to it, or to any other ergot medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E 45, Migranal), ergotamine (in Cafergot, in Ergomar), or methylergonovine (Methergine). This drug can also affect your blood’s platelet counts. If you have a bleeding disorder, your doctor should also check you before prescribing it. If you’re breast-feeding, do not take this medicine. It can slow or stop your milk production. If you are pregnant, do not use this medication.
