cabergoline
Brand names: Dostinex
Cabergoline is a medicine that helps lower the amount of prolactin in your body. Prolactin is a hormone.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.32/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cabergoline treats hyperprolactinemia.
Common side effects
Nausea, Headache, Dizziness
Key warnings
You should not take cabergoline if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
How It Works
Cabergoline works by acting like dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps control prolactin release. By mimicking dopamine, cabergoline lowers prolactin levels.
How to Take It
Start by taking 0.25 mg of cabergoline twice a week. Your doctor may increase the dose by 0.25 mg twice a week. The highest dose is 1 mg twice a week. Your doctor will check your prolactin levels to decide the right dose for you.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if cabergoline will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking cabergoline while breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store cabergoline at room temperature (68° to 77°F) in its original container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,583 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,670 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
4,670
Death-Related Reports
245
Hospitalization Reports
1,549
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 390 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 351 |
| 3 | HEADACHE | 319 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 275 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 274 |
| 6 | DIZZINESS | 224 |
| 7 | MALAISE | 209 |
| 8 | PAIN | 195 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 175 |
| 10 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 170 |
| 11 | ANXIETY | 158 |
| 12 | RASH | 155 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 154 |
| 14 | PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE | 152 |
| 15 | FALL | 150 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take cabergoline if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure. Also, don't take it if you're allergic to ergot medicines. Before starting, your doctor should check your heart. Cabergoline is also not recommended if you have a history of heart valve disorders or fibrotic disorders.
Known Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions: Cabergoline should not be administered concurrently with D 2 -antagonists, such as phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes, or metoclopramide.
Mechanism: These drugs have opposite effects on the brain's dopamine system, so taking them together can stop them from working.
What to do: You should not take these two medications together as they can interfere with each other's effectiveness.
Alitretinoin (oral) Cabergoline Cannabinoids Cinacalcet Galantamine Ivacaftor Monitor for adverse reactions.
Mechanism: Itraconazole slows down how fast your body breaks down cabergoline. This can cause the level of cabergoline in your blood to rise.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for any new or worsening side effects.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking cabergoline on my own?
How long will I need to take cabergoline?
Will cabergoline cure my condition?
Can I drink alcohol while taking cabergoline?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking cabergoline?
Does cabergoline interact with other medications?
Can cabergoline cause weight gain?
How often will I need blood tests?
What if I want to get pregnant?
Can I take cabergoline with food?
What are the common side effects of cabergoline?
Does cabergoline interact with other medications?
What drug class is cabergoline?
Is cabergoline safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Dopamine Agonist (Prolactin)
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Medication Guides
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Common Drug Interactions
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for cabergoline
The FDA label for cabergoline (sold under brand names such as Dostinex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Dopamine Agonist (Prolactin) class. Cabergoline treats hyperprolactinemia. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Headache, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,583 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.32.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 8, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages