Cabergoline Risks

Cabergoline, brand name Dostinex, imitates the function of dopamine in the brain. It is most often prescribed for patients who produce too much prolactin, a hormone involved in the production of breast milk. It can be used to treat diseases in both men and women, particularly infertility amongst women. It comes with a variety of risks, some of them more serious than others.

Common Minor Risks

• Cabergoline often causes nausea and upset stomach when taken without food. Patients taking this medication should be sure to do so on a full stomach. It may also cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, numbness or tingling, and hot flashes. These are typical and rarely indicate serious health concerns.

Blood Pressure

• Some patients taking cabergoline experience a dramatic drop in blood pressure during the first few days of treatment. It may be advisable for individuals starting this medication to monitor their blood pressure several times each day until the body adjusts. Patients who do experience a drop in blood pressure are likely to feel dizzy and should lie down for several minutes.

Drowsiness and Sudden Sleep

• In relatively few patients, cabergoline causes extreme drowsiness and even sudden, unexpected episodes of sleep. People starting this medication should avoid driving and other potentially dangerous activities until they are confident that they will not experience these symptoms. In some cases, drinking alcohol may make this condition worse.

Interactions with Drugs and Medical Conditions

• Cabergoline may also interact with certain psychotropic medications, especially antipsychotics. Patients with compromised liver function, uncontrolled blood pressure problems and certain forms of heart disease should use caution when taking cabergoline. Women who are pregnant or nursing should be careful as well.

Fibrotic Reaction

• Perhaps the most serious risk associated with the use of cabergoline is the rare side effect it can have on the lining surrounding the heart and other organs. In some cases, cabergoline causes a problem known as a fibrotic reaction, in which the lining of these organs becomes thicker and poses certain heath dangers. Some doctors will wish to take chest X-rays throughout a patient's treatment to monitor the growth of this fibrous tissue.

Cardiac Valve Disease

• A similar problem was documented by a 2008 study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology. This article concludes that patients undergoing long-term treatment with cabergoline often experience thickening and calcification of the heart valves, a discovery that brings the safety of this drug into question. Further study is needed to better understand these side effects and how to prevent them.