This medication is used to treat a certain hormone problem (hyperprolactinemia) that causes unusual breast milk production. Cabergoline belongs to a class of drugs known as dopamine receptor agonists. It works by stimulating a part of the brain that can decrease the production of the hormone that causes milk production (prolactin). Decreasing high prolactin levels can improve the unusual breast milk production.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice weekly or as directed by your doctor.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor will start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over several months to help decrease side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Nausea, vomiting, headache, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, tiredness, stomach/abdominal pain, or sleepiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, nervousness, anxiety), difficulty concentrating, tingling, numbness, fainting, swelling around the eyes, hand/leg swelling, painful breasts, menstrual cramps, hot flashes, acne, itching, diarrhea, gas, vision changes, stuffy nose.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: breathing problems, persistent cough, chest pain, hallucinations, confusion.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking cabergoline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to ergot-like drugs (e.g., ergotamine); or if you had any serious reactions to other dopamine agonists (e.g., bromocriptine, pramipexole); or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart valve problems, conditions caused by abnormal scarring/thickening of the lining in the lungs/heart/behind the abdomen (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, pregnancy complications with high blood pressure (e.g., pre-eclampsia, eclampsia).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the drowsiness effect.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: certain medications for mental/mood disorders (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine and promethazine, butyrophenones such as haloperidol, thioxanthenes such as thiothixene and chlorprothixene), metoclopramide.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting cabergoline.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all other prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood prolactin levels, blood pressure) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.