Dostinex (Cabergoline)

Dostinex (Cabergoline) is prescribed to prevent postpartum physiological lactation or to inhibit established lactation in the following cases: if the mother does not wish to breastfeed or if breastfeeding is contraindicated for the mother or baby; at the birth of a chiabort. Dostinex also suppresses physiological lactation by inhibiting prolactin secretion.

It is also prescribed for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, which is manifested as menstrual disorders (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulation), infertility, galactorrhea (in women). Used to treat hormonal imbalance with much prolactin in the blood to reduce or prevent breast milk production

Indication for use

Dostinex (Cabergoline) can be taken by almost all women who have menstrual disorders, female infertility

for lactation suppression (after delivery or abortion), pituitary tumors, disorders associated with hyperprolactinemia, including amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulation, galactorrhea.

Precautions

Dostinex (Cabergoline) is not recommended to use if you have:

• hypersensitivity to cabergoline, to any of the excipients or to any ergot alkaloids;

• the history of fibrous diseases of the lungs, pericardium and retroperitoneal space;

• hepatic failure and pregnant with preeclampsia;

• should not be used concurrently with antipsychotic medicines or women with postpartum psychosis in history;

• contraindicated for long-term treatment, if there are signs of damage to the valves of the heart, determined by echocardiography before treatment.

Pregnancy should be avoided for at least 1 month after discontinuation of Dostinex.

Dose and usage

Dostinex (Cabergoline) is released in form of 0,5mg white, small, oval tablets. 

Dostinex should be taken orally, preferably with meal. To prevent lactation, the drug at a dose of 1 mg (2 tablets) is prescribed once a day after childbirth. 0.25 mg (1/2 tablet) is given twice a day for 2 days (total dose is 1 mg) for steady-state lactation suppression.

For the treatment of disorders associated with hyperprolactinemia, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 0.5 mg per week in 1 or 2 doses. Increasing the weekly dose should be carried out gradually – by 0.5 mg at intervals of 1 month until optimal therapeutic effect is achieved. The average therapeutic dose is 1 mg per week, but may range from 0.25 mg to 2 mg per week. Doses up to 4.5 mg per week are used in patients with hyperprolactinemia.

Side effects

Dostinex is well tolerated by patients but sometimes patients can observe some side effects: dizziness, insomnia, a decrease in blood pressure, headaches, nausea and abdominal pain. However, such symptoms are of no clinical relevance and disappear very quickly.