Key takeaways:
Cabergoline is an oral medication that treats high prolactin levels. The typical cabergoline dosage is 0.25 mg to 1 mg twice a week.
Cabergoline is broken down by the liver. If your liver isn’t working normally, cabergoline can build up in your blood and cause side effects like nausea and headache. So if you have liver problems, you may need a lower dose.
Some people should avoid cabergoline. This includes people with heart valve problems or thickening and scarring of the lungs and sac surrounding the heart. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, cabergoline may not be a good medication for you. Make sure your healthcare provider knows your full medical history before starting cabergoline.
Cabergoline is part of a group of medications called dopamine agonists. It’s used to treat high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia). Prolactin is a hormone made by the pituitary gland, which sits below the brain. We all have prolactin in our bodies. But having too much of it can cause infertility, sexual problems, and mood changes.
Cabergoline acts like dopamine, a chemical messenger that naturally exists in the body. Dopamine helps lower prolactin levels, which relieves symptoms of hyperprolactinemia. But for cabergoline to work, and to minimize side effects, it’s best to take it exactly as instructed by your prescriber. The right cabergoline dosage for you will vary depending on your prolactin levels and how you tolerate the medication.
An initial cabergoline dosage may be 0.25 mg taken by mouth on 2 days of the week (for example, Monday and Thursday). Taking your dose with a meal can prevent stomach upset.
If your prolactin levels are still high after 4 weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dose. The maximum dose is 1 mg twice weekly. Waiting 4 weeks before increasing your cabergoline dosage gives your body time to adjust to the medication. Higher doses increase your risk of side effects, so it’s best to work with your provider to find the lowest effective dose.
Good to know: Before and during treatment with cabergoline, your healthcare provider will make sure you don’t have any heart or lung problems. They may ask you to complete a heart test called an echocardiogram. And a chest X-ray or CT scan may be ordered to assess your lungs. Symptoms of heart or lung problems may include trouble breathing, persistent cough, or chest pain. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking cabergoline, let your healthcare provider know.
Possibly. You may need a lower cabergoline dosage if you have liver problems. The liver is responsible for metabolizing (breaking down) cabergoline. If your liver isn’t working normally, cabergoline can build up in your blood and cause side effects.
You may also need a lower cabergoline dosage if you’re over 65. This is because older adults often experience differences in how their bodies process medications. For example, we’re more likely to have decreased liver function as we age, which can increase cabergoline levels in the blood.
Not necessarily. If you’re prescribed cabergoline, your healthcare provider will monitor your prolactin levels. If your levels normalize for about 6 months, your provider may recommend stopping cabergoline.
Even after stopping cabergoline, though, your provider may monitor your prolactin levels to make sure they don’t increase.
Cabergoline is only taken twice a week. So if you forget to take one of your weekly doses, take it right when you remember.
There’s an exception to this rule, though. If it’s the same day as your next scheduled dose, skip your missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Never take two doses at one time. This increases your risk for side effects like nausea, constipation, and headache.
Make sure to tell your provider if you skip any doses. This will help them interpret your lab results and recommend a cabergoline dose that’s safe for you.
Taking too much cabergoline can lead to side effects, including:
Stuffy nose
Nausea
Dizziness
Tiredness
Headache
Having no energy
Nervousness
Depression
Hallucinations, low blood pressure, and fainting may also occur if you take extra doses. Taking larger amounts of cabergoline could lead to severe heart and lung issues.
If you think you’ve taken too much cabergoline, let your healthcare provider know immediately. If you’re experiencing symptoms, seek emergency care by calling 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Some people should avoid cabergoline altogether. This includes people who have:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
A history of heart valve problems (cardiac valvular disorders)
Thickening or scarring of the lungs or sac surrounding the heart (fibrotic disorders)
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, cabergoline may not be the best medication option for you. We don’t have a lot of studies on cabergoline use in pregnancy. And cabergoline is known to affect breast milk supply. So talk to your healthcare provider if you become pregnant (or plan to become pregnant) while taking cabergoline, or if you’re breastfeeding. They can help you decide whether taking cabergoline is a good idea.
GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the cabergoline tablets. A 4-week supply of cabergoline may cost you as low as $26.34 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx discount.
Cabergoline is an oral medication that treats high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia). The typical cabergoline dosage is 0.25 mg to 1 mg twice a week. Your healthcare provider will start you on a lower dose and may aise it slowly based on how you respond. If your liver isn’t working as normally, or if you’re over 65, you may need a lower cabergoline dosage.
Some people should avoid cabergoline altogether. This includes people with heart valve problems or who have thickening and scarring of the lungs or sac surrounding the heart. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, cabergoline may not be a good medication for you, either. Make sure your healthcare provider has your full medical history before starting cabergoline.
A-S Medication Solutions. (2023). Cabergoline tablet [package insert].
Choi, J., et al. (2023). Dopamine agonists. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Cabergoline.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). As you age: You and your medicines.
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