Cabergoline

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on August 14, 2023

Cabergoline (ca BER goe leen) is a generic medication prescribed to treat high levels of prolactin (a hormone) in your body. Cabergoline belongs to a group of drugs called dopamine agonists.

Side effects of cabergoline

Cabergoline may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of cabergoline and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about cabergoline’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for cabergoline listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with cabergoline are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about cabergoline’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for cabergoline listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Cabergoline oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• nausea
• headache
• dizziness
• constipation
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cabergoline” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of cabergoline are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about cabergoline’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cabergoline listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, cabergoline’s serious side effects include:

• heart valve problems†
• fibrosis (buildup of scar tissue) in or around the organs, which may lead to problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, or other organs†
• orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when you stand or sit up), which may cause dizziness or fainting
• mood changes, such as depression or anxiety
• behavior changes, such as extreme urges to gamble†
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cabergoline” section.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.

Common questions about cabergoline

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about cabergoline.

Are side effects of cabergoline seen in males similar to those seen in females?

Yes, side effects of cabergoline are generally similar among males* and females.* But in studies of cabergoline, breast pain and dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) were specific to females.

Cabergoline is used to lower high levels of prolactin (a type of hormone) in your body. Symptoms of high levels of prolactin may differ in males and females. These symptoms may also change during treatment with cabergoline.

To learn more about how side effects of cabergoline differ between males and females, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex
assigned at birth.

Is cabergoline similar to bromocriptine?

Yes, bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel) is similar to cabergoline in some ways. Both drugs are prescribed to treat high levels of prolactin in adults. Both drugs also belong to a class of medications called dopamine agonists. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.) However, bromocriptine may also be prescribed for uses other than those of cabergoline. If you have questions about cabergoline versus bromocriptine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does cabergoline work? And how long does it take to start working?

Cabergoline lowers the amount of prolactin hormone in your body. Its mechanism of action (how it works) is by increasing the effects of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that regulates your prolactin levels, among many other functions. When the effects of dopamine are increased, your body makes less prolactin.

Cabergoline starts working right away. But your prolactin levels may take 4 weeks or longer to fall within a normal range. Your doctor will order blood tests to measure your prolactin levels. They may need to increase your dosage every 4 weeks or so until they find the amount that’s effective for you.

If you have questions about cabergoline’s mechanism of action, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of cabergoline

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cabergoline for certain conditions. Approved uses for cabergoline are described below.

Use for conditions with high prolactin levels

Doctors may prescribe cabergoline oral tablet for treating high levels of prolactin (a hormone) in your body. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Prolactin is involved in breast development and milk production. Usually, males* and certain females* have low levels of prolactin.

With high prolactin levels, symptoms can develop. The symptoms vary depending on several factors. Those factors include your sex at birth, the cause of high prolactin levels, and pregnancy or lactation status.†

Symptoms may include:

• headaches
• decreased sex drive
• fertility problems
• thinning bones
• erectile dysfunction in males
• irregular or absent periods in females
• breast tissue growth in males
• milky discharge from nipples in males and non-lactating females

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex
assigned at birth.
† Non-lactating, non-pregnant females usually have low prolactin levels. In general, prolactin levels are higher in females who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding or have recently experienced either one.

Interactions and warnings for cabergoline

Below, you’ll find information about cabergoline’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of cabergoline

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take cabergoline, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for cabergoline” section below.

Warnings for cabergoline

Some people should not take cabergoline, and others should take it cautiously.

Cabergoline could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether cabergoline is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for cabergoline, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Cabergoline can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to cabergoline or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe cabergoline. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to cabergoline, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of cabergoline

If you take cabergoline by mouth, you should not take more cabergoline than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much cabergoline, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and cabergoline

Information about cabergoline and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Cabergoline and pregnancy

It’s not known whether cabergoline should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Cabergoline and breastfeeding

Cabergoline should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with cabergoline.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about cabergoline or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I need to take cabergoline oral tablet?
• Are there any alternative medications that I can take for my condition?
• How often will I need to have blood tests during cabergoline treatment?

Resources

• Cabergoline- cabergoline tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/275a6a25-c3c9-4258-a610-0b00752517f7/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.