Cabergoline Teva
Dopamine agonist for hyperprolactinemia and lactation inhibition
Cabergoline Teva contains the active substance cabergoline, a potent and long-acting dopamine D2 receptor agonist that belongs to the class of prolactin inhibitors. It is primarily used to treat conditions caused by elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), to suppress or inhibit breast milk production for medical reasons, and to manage prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors (prolactinomas). Cabergoline works by directly stimulating dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland, which reduces the release of the hormone prolactin.
Quick Facts
Key Takeaways
- Cabergoline Teva is a long-acting dopamine agonist used to treat elevated prolactin levels, inhibit lactation, and manage prolactinomas.
- The tablet should always be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and stomach pain.
- Long-term treatment requires regular echocardiographic monitoring due to the risk of cardiac valvular fibrosis.
- Common side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, and fatigue; these typically diminish within two weeks of treatment.
- Cabergoline may restore fertility in women with hyperprolactinemia; effective contraception is essential during and for one month after treatment.
What Is Cabergoline Teva and What Is It Used For?
Quick Answer: Cabergoline Teva is a prescription medication containing cabergoline 0.5 mg, a dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin levels. It is used to treat hyperprolactinemia, inhibit or suppress lactation, and manage prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors.
Cabergoline Teva belongs to a group of medicines known as prolactin inhibitors or dopamine agonists. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. While prolactin plays a crucial role in breast milk production, abnormally elevated levels can lead to a range of hormonal disturbances in both women and men. Cabergoline reduces prolactin secretion by directly activating dopamine D2 receptors on the prolactin-producing cells (lactotrophs) of the anterior pituitary.
The medication has a remarkably long duration of action compared to other dopamine agonists, with an elimination half-life of approximately 63 to 69 hours. This pharmacokinetic profile allows for convenient once-weekly or twice-weekly dosing in most patients, which significantly improves treatment adherence compared to older alternatives that required daily administration. Clinical studies have demonstrated that cabergoline normalizes prolactin levels in approximately 80–90% of patients with hyperprolactinemia.
Approved Indications
Cabergoline Teva is approved for the following therapeutic indications:
- Inhibition of physiological lactation: Prevention of breast milk production immediately after childbirth for medical reasons (administered as a single dose within 24 hours of delivery).
- Suppression of established lactation: Stopping breast milk production in women who have already begun breastfeeding, when continued lactation is medically inadvisable.
- Treatment of hyperprolactinemia: Management of hormonal disorders caused by elevated prolactin levels, including amenorrhea (absent menstruation), oligomenorrhea (irregular menstruation), anovulation (lack of ovulation), galactorrhea (abnormal milk discharge not associated with childbirth), and related infertility.
- Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas): Medical management of both microprolactinomas and macroprolactinomas, where cabergoline can reduce both prolactin levels and tumor size.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and various national regulatory authorities recognize cabergoline as a first-line treatment for hyperprolactinemia due to its superior efficacy and tolerability profile compared to bromocriptine. Multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have confirmed that cabergoline achieves prolactin normalization in a significantly higher proportion of patients, with fewer and milder side effects, and better treatment adherence due to its once-weekly dosing schedule.
Cabergoline has also been shown to reduce the size of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors in a substantial proportion of patients. Studies published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism have demonstrated clinically significant tumor shrinkage (greater than 25% reduction) in approximately 60–80% of patients with macroprolactinomas, and even higher rates in those with microprolactinomas, making it a valuable non-surgical treatment option.
What Should You Know Before Taking Cabergoline Teva?
Quick Answer: Do not take Cabergoline Teva if you have a history of cardiac valvular disease, fibrotic disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, or allergy to ergot alkaloids. Tell your doctor about all medical conditions, especially heart disease, liver or kidney problems, and psychiatric history.
Contraindications
You must not take Cabergoline Teva if any of the following apply to you:
- Allergy to cabergoline or ergot alkaloids: If you are allergic to cabergoline, other ergot derivatives (such as bromocriptine, pergolide, or ergotamine), or any of the excipients in the tablet.
- History of fibrotic disorders: If you have ever been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, pericardial fibrosis, or cardiac valvular fibrosis. These conditions involve the abnormal development of scar tissue in internal organs.
- Cardiac valvulopathy: If you are receiving long-term treatment and have evidence of cardiac valvular disease confirmed by echocardiography before starting treatment.
- Pre-eclampsia or postpartum hypertension: If you have swollen hands and feet with high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), or if you develop uncontrolled high blood pressure after childbirth.
- Psychotic disorders: If you currently have or have a history of psychosis, or if you are at increased risk of postpartum psychosis.
- Severe hepatic impairment: Cabergoline is extensively metabolized by the liver, and severe liver disease can significantly alter drug levels and increase the risk of adverse effects.
Long-term use of cabergoline at high doses has been associated with the development of cardiac valvular fibrosis. Before starting treatment, your doctor should perform a baseline echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and arrange for periodic monitoring throughout therapy. If signs of fibrotic changes are detected, treatment must be discontinued.
Warnings and Precautions
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Cabergoline Teva if you have any of the following conditions, as the medication may require special monitoring or dose adjustments:
- Cardiovascular disease: Including coronary artery disease, heart failure, or arrhythmias. Cabergoline can cause hypotension (low blood pressure), particularly in the early stages of treatment.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon: Impaired blood flow to extremities causing fingers and toes to become white or blue in cold conditions. Ergot-derived dopamine agonists can worsen peripheral vasospasm.
- Renal impairment: Kidney disease may affect drug clearance and necessitate dose adjustments.
- Hepatic impairment: Liver disease affects cabergoline metabolism; patients with severe liver dysfunction should not use this medication.
- Peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding: History of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding (which may manifest as black stools or bloody vomit) requires careful consideration.
- Psychiatric history: Particularly previous psychotic illness. Dopamine agonists can trigger or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms including hallucinations and delusions.
- Postural hypotension: Low blood pressure that causes dizziness upon standing. This is a common early side effect of cabergoline and may increase the risk of falls.
- Pulmonary disease: Serious respiratory symptoms including chest pain with breathing, pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), or lung infection or inflammation.
Dopamine agonists, including cabergoline, have been associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs). These include pathological gambling, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, and abnormally increased sexual drive or preoccupation with sexual thoughts. Inform your doctor immediately if you or your family members notice that you are developing unusual urges or behaviors. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose or discontinue treatment. The risk appears to be dose-dependent, and symptoms typically resolve when the dose is reduced or the medication is stopped.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using Cabergoline Teva.
Pregnancy: There is limited experience with the use of cabergoline during pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, treatment with Cabergoline Teva should be discontinued at least one month before the intended conception. Before starting treatment, your doctor should confirm that you are not pregnant. Effective non-hormonal contraception must be used during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop taking the medication immediately and contact your doctor. Pregnancy tests should be performed at least every four weeks during amenorrheic periods, and whenever a menstrual period is delayed by more than three days.
Breastfeeding: It is not known whether cabergoline is excreted into human breast milk. However, since the medication is specifically designed to suppress prolactin production and inhibit lactation, it should not be used if you intend to breastfeed. If treatment is medically necessary, alternative methods of infant feeding should be arranged.
Fertility: Cabergoline can reverse hyperprolactinemia-related infertility. Pregnancy may occur before menstrual cycles have normalized. Women of childbearing potential who do not wish to conceive should use reliable non-hormonal contraception from the start of treatment.
Children and Adolescents
The safety and efficacy of Cabergoline Teva have not been established in children and adolescents under the age of 16 years. Use in this population is not recommended unless under specialist supervision.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Cabergoline Teva can impair your ability to react quickly and may cause drowsiness (somnolence) and sudden episodes of falling asleep (sleep attacks). If you experience excessive sleepiness or sudden sleep episodes, you must not drive or operate machinery until these symptoms have completely resolved. During the initial phase of treatment, you should exercise particular caution when performing activities that require alertness and rapid reaction. Always discuss with your doctor whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medication.
How Does Cabergoline Teva Interact with Other Drugs?
Quick Answer: Cabergoline may interact with antipsychotics (which can reduce its effectiveness), antihypertensives (risk of excessive blood pressure lowering), other ergot alkaloids, macrolide antibiotics, and antiemetics like metoclopramide. Always inform your doctor of all medications you are taking.
Several classes of medications can interact with cabergoline, either reducing its therapeutic efficacy or increasing the risk of adverse effects. It is essential that your doctor is aware of all medicines you are currently taking, have recently taken, or might take, including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.
Major Interactions
The following drug interactions are considered clinically significant and may require dose adjustments, alternative medications, or enhanced monitoring:
| Drug Class | Examples | Effect | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenothiazines | Chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine | Block dopamine receptors, reducing cabergoline efficacy | May significantly reduce prolactin-lowering effect |
| Butyrophenones | Haloperidol, droperidol | Dopamine receptor antagonism opposes cabergoline action | Concurrent use may negate therapeutic benefit |
| Thioxanthenes | Flupentixol, zuclopenthixol | Dopamine antagonism reduces cabergoline effect | Combination generally not recommended |
| Antiemetics | Metoclopramide, domperidone | Dopamine receptor blockade reduces cabergoline efficacy | Use alternative antiemetics if needed |
Minor Interactions
The following interactions are generally less severe but should still be discussed with your healthcare provider:
| Drug Class | Examples | Effect | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other ergot alkaloids | Bromocriptine, ergotamine | Additive ergot effects; increased risk of vasospasm and fibrosis | Avoid concurrent long-term use |
| Macrolide antibiotics | Erythromycin, clarithromycin | May increase cabergoline plasma levels via CYP3A4 inhibition | Monitor for increased side effects |
| Antihypertensives | ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers | Additive blood pressure lowering; risk of symptomatic hypotension | Monitor blood pressure; may impair alertness |
The mechanism underlying most interactions involves the dopaminergic pathway. Medications that block dopamine receptors (such as typical antipsychotics and certain antiemetics) directly oppose the therapeutic action of cabergoline. Since cabergoline works by stimulating dopamine D2 receptors to suppress prolactin release, any drug that blocks these receptors will diminish or negate its efficacy. When antipsychotic treatment is clinically necessary, your endocrinologist and psychiatrist should collaborate to find the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Regarding macrolide antibiotics, cabergoline is partially metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes in the liver. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including erythromycin and clarithromycin, can increase cabergoline plasma concentrations, potentially amplifying both therapeutic and adverse effects. If a short course of macrolide antibiotic is necessary, your doctor may recommend closer monitoring during the treatment period.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Cabergoline Teva?
Quick Answer: For lactation inhibition, take 1 mg (2 tablets) as a single dose within 24 hours of delivery. For lactation suppression, take 0.25 mg (half a tablet) once. For hyperprolactinemia, the usual starting dose is 0.5 mg per week, taken with food. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on your response.
Always use Cabergoline Teva exactly as your doctor has instructed. The dose is individually tailored based on your specific condition, prolactin levels, and clinical response. The tablets are scored and can be divided into two equal halves. All doses should be taken with food to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
Adults
Inhibition of Lactation (Prevention)
Take 1 mg (2 tablets) as a single oral dose within 24 hours after childbirth. This single dose is usually sufficient to prevent the onset of breast milk production. The medication should be administered under medical supervision in the postpartum period.
Suppression of Established Lactation
Take 0.25 mg (half a tablet) every 12 hours for 2 days, for a total dose of 1 mg. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe a single dose of 0.25 mg. This lower dose should not be exceeded to minimize the risk of postural hypotension.
Hyperprolactinemia (Long-term Treatment)
The recommended starting dose is 0.5 mg per week, given as a single dose or divided into two doses (e.g., 0.25 mg on Monday and 0.25 mg on Thursday). The dose is increased gradually, typically by 0.5 mg per week at monthly intervals, based on serum prolactin measurements. The usual therapeutic dose ranges from 0.25 mg to 2 mg per week. Doses up to 4.5 mg per week have been used in some patients, though doses above 1 mg per week are typically given in divided doses. Your doctor will determine the optimal dose and duration of treatment based on your individual response.
| Indication | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactation inhibition | 1 mg (2 tablets) | Single dose | Within 24 hours of delivery |
| Lactation suppression | 0.25 mg (½ tablet) | Single dose | One-time |
| Hyperprolactinemia | 0.25–2 mg/week | Once or twice weekly | Long-term (as directed) |
Children and Adolescents
Cabergoline Teva is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 16 years of age due to insufficient safety and efficacy data. Pediatric hyperprolactinemia should be managed by a specialist endocrinologist who can assess the risks and benefits of treatment on a case-by-case basis.
Elderly Patients
There are limited data on the use of cabergoline in elderly patients. As older individuals may be more susceptible to the hypotensive effects of the medication and may have age-related hepatic or renal impairment, treatment should be initiated at the lowest effective dose with careful monitoring. Dose adjustments should be made cautiously and guided by clinical response and tolerability.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose at the scheduled time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you are unsure about what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
Overdose
If you have taken more Cabergoline Teva than prescribed, or if someone (such as a child) has accidentally ingested the medication, contact a poison control center or seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, significant drop in blood pressure, abdominal pain, altered behavior, confusion, or hallucinations. Bring the medication packaging and any remaining tablets with you when seeking medical help.
What Are the Side Effects of Cabergoline Teva?
Quick Answer: Common side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, weakness, and fatigue. About 14% of patients experience side effects with single-dose lactation inhibition, while up to 70% may experience side effects during long-term treatment for hyperprolactinemia. Most side effects resolve within about 2 weeks.
Like all medicines, Cabergoline Teva can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The frequency and severity of side effects differ depending on whether the medication is taken as a single dose (for lactation inhibition) or as long-term therapy (for hyperprolactinemia). During short-term use, approximately 14 out of 100 patients experience some form of adverse reaction. With long-term treatment, side effects are more common (up to 70 out of 100 patients), but they typically diminish or resolve within the first two weeks of therapy.
Contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if you experience: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain (especially with radiation to arms or neck), rapid or irregular heartbeat, sudden severe headache with or without visual disturbances, widespread skin rash with itching and swelling, signs of fainting, or bluish discoloration of lips and fingernails.
Very Common
May affect more than 1 in 10 people
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Headache
- Nausea
- Indigestion and stomach pain
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- Weakness and general fatigue
- Cardiac valve changes and related disorders (e.g., pericarditis, pericardial effusion) – with long-term use
Common
May affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Depression
- Excessive drowsiness (somnolence)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension), particularly postural
- Hot flushes and facial flushing
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Breast pain (mastodynia)
Uncommon
May affect up to 1 in 100 people
- Increased libido
- Transient hemianopsia (temporary loss of half the visual field)
- Loss of consciousness
- Palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat)
- Vasospasm in fingers and toes
- Fainting (syncope)
- Shortness of breath and nosebleeds
- Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue)
- Skin rash and hair loss
- Leg cramps
- Peripheral edema (swelling of feet, ankles, and hands)
- Allergic reactions
- Decreased hemoglobin levels in women with resumed menstruation
Rare
May affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
- Upper abdominal pain (epigastric pain)
Frequency Not Known
Cannot be estimated from available data
- Sudden sleep attacks and tremor
- Visual disturbances
- Respiratory disorders with inadequate oxygen intake
- Pleuritis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs)
- Chest pain due to reduced blood supply to the heart (angina)
- Abnormal liver function and liver enzyme elevations
- Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels
- Aggressive behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and psychotic disorders
- Impulse control disorders: pathological gambling, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, increased sexual drive
Cardiac valve changes (regurgitation) have been reported in patients receiving long-term, high-dose ergot-derived dopamine agonists, including cabergoline. The Endocrine Society and European guidelines recommend baseline echocardiography before starting treatment and follow-up echocardiograms at 3–6 months, then annually, particularly in patients receiving doses above 2 mg per week. The risk appears to correlate with cumulative dose and duration of therapy. If echocardiography reveals new or worsening valvular regurgitation, fibrotic thickening, or valve restriction, treatment should be reconsidered.
If you experience any side effects not listed above, or if any side effect becomes severe or bothersome, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product is important as it contributes to the ongoing monitoring of the medicine’s benefit-risk balance.
How Should You Store Cabergoline Teva?
Quick Answer: Store below 30°C in the original packaging. Keep the desiccant capsule or sachet inside the container. Store out of reach of children and do not use after the expiry date.
Proper storage of Cabergoline Teva is essential to maintain the medication’s stability and therapeutic effectiveness throughout its shelf life. Cabergoline is sensitive to moisture, making correct storage conditions particularly important.
- Temperature: Store at or below 30°C (86°F). Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Packaging: Keep in the original container to protect from moisture. The desiccant capsule or sachet (silica gel) must remain inside the container and should not be removed or ingested.
- Children: Store out of the sight and reach of children.
- Expiry: Do not use after the expiry date stated on the carton and container after “EXP.” The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Disposal: Do not dispose of medications via wastewater or household waste. Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal. These measures help protect the environment.
If you notice any change in the appearance of the tablets (such as discoloration, crumbling, or unusual odor), do not take them and consult your pharmacist. Tablets that have been exposed to excessive moisture or temperature may have reduced potency or altered absorption characteristics.
What Does Cabergoline Teva Contain?
Quick Answer: Each tablet contains 0.5 mg of cabergoline as the active substance. The inactive ingredients are lactose, L-leucine, and magnesium stearate. The tablets are white, oval, flat, and scored, marked with “CBG” and “0.5” on either side of the break line.
Active Substance
Each scored tablet contains 0.5 mg of cabergoline. Cabergoline is a synthetic ergoline derivative with selective and potent dopamine D2 receptor agonist activity. Its molecular formula is C26H37N5O2, and it has a molecular weight of approximately 451.6 g/mol.
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
- Lactose: Used as a filler and bulking agent. Patients with lactose intolerance should consult their doctor before taking this medication.
- L-leucine: An amino acid used as a lubricant and stabilizing agent in the tablet formulation.
- Magnesium stearate: A commonly used lubricant that prevents the tablet from sticking to manufacturing equipment during production.
Physical Description
Cabergoline Teva 0.5 mg tablets are white, oval, flat tablets with beveled edges. One side is smooth and the other has a score line. The tablets are marked with “CBG” and “0.5” on either side of the score line. The score line allows the tablet to be divided into two equal halves for dose adjustment.
Available Pack Sizes
Cabergoline Teva 0.5 mg is available in packs of 2, 8, 14, 15, 16, 20, 28, 30, 32, 40, 48, 50, 60, 90, 96, and 100 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed in every country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabergoline Teva
Both cabergoline and bromocriptine are dopamine agonists used to treat hyperprolactinemia, but they differ significantly in several key areas. Cabergoline has a much longer half-life (63–69 hours vs. approximately 6 hours for bromocriptine), allowing once- or twice-weekly dosing compared to daily dosing with bromocriptine. Clinical studies consistently show that cabergoline is more effective at normalizing prolactin levels (80–90% of patients vs. 60–80% with bromocriptine) and is significantly better tolerated, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. The Endocrine Society guidelines recommend cabergoline as the first-line dopamine agonist for most patients with hyperprolactinemia.
The onset of action depends on the indication. For lactation inhibition, a significant reduction in prolactin levels occurs within a few hours of taking the single dose, with maximal effect within 48 hours. For hyperprolactinemia treatment, prolactin levels typically begin to decrease within the first week. However, normalization of prolactin and improvement of symptoms (such as restoration of menstrual cycles or reduction of galactorrhea) usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer depending on the initial prolactin level. Your doctor will check your prolactin levels periodically to assess response and adjust dosing.
There is no specific contraindication for alcohol with cabergoline, but caution is advised. Both alcohol and cabergoline can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness, and their combined effects may increase the risk of postural hypotension, lightheadedness, and fainting, especially during the early phase of treatment. Alcohol can also worsen drowsiness and may impair your ability to judge whether the medication is affecting your alertness. It is generally advisable to limit alcohol consumption, especially when starting treatment or after dose increases.
Do not stop taking Cabergoline Teva without consulting your doctor. If you have been treated for hyperprolactinemia, your symptoms (such as irregular menstruation, galactorrhea, or infertility) are likely to return once the medication is discontinued, as the underlying prolactin-producing capacity of the pituitary gland remains unchanged. After long-term successful treatment, your doctor may consider gradual dose reduction and eventual withdrawal while monitoring prolactin levels. In some patients, prolactin levels may remain normal after discontinuation, particularly in those with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia or small microprolactinomas.
Weight gain is not a commonly reported side effect of cabergoline. In fact, some patients experience weight loss during treatment, particularly those whose hyperprolactinemia was associated with metabolic disturbances. Elevated prolactin levels have been linked to insulin resistance and increased body weight, so normalizing prolactin with cabergoline may actually improve metabolic parameters. However, individual responses vary, and if you notice significant weight changes during treatment, discuss them with your doctor.
For patients on long-term cabergoline therapy, current guidelines recommend a baseline echocardiogram before starting treatment, then follow-up echocardiograms at 3 to 6 months after initiation, and subsequently at annual or biannual intervals depending on the clinical situation and dose used. More frequent monitoring may be needed for patients receiving higher doses (above 2 mg per week). Your doctor will also assess your cardiovascular risk factors and may order additional tests such as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and chest X-ray to screen for fibrotic complications. If echocardiography reveals new valvular regurgitation or other abnormalities, your doctor will reassess whether to continue treatment.
References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Cabergoline – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.ema.europa.eu
- Melmed S, Casanueva FF, Hoffman AR, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(2):273–288. doi:10.1210/jc.2010-1692
- Webster J, Piscitelli G, Polli A, et al. A comparison of cabergoline and bromocriptine in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea. N Engl J Med. 1994;331(14):904–909. doi:10.1056/NEJM199410063311403
- Colao A, Di Sarno A, Landi ML, et al. Macroprolactinoma shrinkage during cabergoline treatment is greater in naive patients than in patients pretreated with other dopamine agonists. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85(6):2247–2252.
- Zanettini R, Antonini A, Gatto G, et al. Valvular heart disease and the use of dopamine agonists for Parkinson’s disease. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(1):39–46. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa054830
- Auriemma RS, Pivonello R, Ferreri L, et al. Cabergoline use for pituitary tumors and valvular disorders. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):89–97.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Model List of Essential Medicines. 23rd List, 2023. Available at: www.who.int
- British National Formulary (BNF). Cabergoline – Indications, dose, contraindications, side-effects. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dostinex (cabergoline) prescribing information. Available at: www.accessdata.fda.gov
- Casanueva FF, Molitch ME, Schlechte JA, et al. Guidelines of the Pituitary Society for the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2006;65(2):265–273.
Medical Editorial Team
This article has been written and reviewed by the iMedic Medical Editorial Team, comprising licensed specialist physicians in endocrinology, clinical pharmacology, and internal medicine. All medical content follows the GRADE evidence framework and adheres to international guidelines from the WHO, EMA, FDA, and the Endocrine Society.
Our editorial process includes systematic literature review, multi-specialist peer review, and regular content updates to reflect the latest evidence. We maintain complete editorial independence with no commercial funding or pharmaceutical industry sponsorship.
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