Dostinex

Dostinex

     * Generic Name: cabergoline
     * Brand Name: Dostinex


     * What is cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * What are the possible side effects of cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * What should I discuss with my health care provider before
       taking cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * How should I take cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Dostinex)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Dostinex)?
     * What should I avoid while taking cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * What other drugs will affect cabergoline (Dostinex)?
     * Where can I get more information (Dostinex)?

What is cabergoline (Dostinex)?

   Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor agonist. It works by
   reducing the amount of prolactin (a hormone) that is released from
   the pituitary gland.

   Cabergoline is used to treat a hormone imbalance in which there is too
   much prolactin in the blood (also called hyperprolactinemia).

   Cabergoline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of cabergoline (Dostinex)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
   allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
   lips, tongue, or throat.

   Stop using cabergoline and call your doctor at once if you have a
   serious side effect such as:
     * feeling short of breath on exertion;
     * chest discomfort, dry cough or hack;
     * feeling weak or tired, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss;
     * feeling like you might pass out;
     * lower back pain;
     * urinating less than usual or not at all; or
     * swelling in your ankles or feet.

   You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
   intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if
   you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking
   cabergoline.

   Less serious side effects may include:
     * nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, indigestion,
       constipation;
     * headache, depressed mood;
     * dizziness, spinning sensation;
     * drowsiness, nervousness;
     * hot flashes;
     * numbness or tingly feeling; or
     * dry mouth.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about cabergoline
(Dostinex)?

   You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cabergoline,
   or if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, pregnancy-related
   high blood pressure, a history of heart or breathing problems or heart
   valve disorder, or if you are allergic to any type of ergot
   medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot),
   dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or
   methylergonovine (Methergine).

   Before taking cabergoline, tell your doctor if you have liver
   disease, heart disease, or a breathing disorder.

   Cabergoline is usually taken twice each week for at least 6 months. Do
   not take this medication every day unless your doctor tells you to.

   Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially blood
   pressure medication.

   You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
   intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if
   you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking
   cabergoline.

   To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will
   need to be tested on a regular basis to measure your prolactin levels.
   Your doctor may want to continue checking your prolactin levels for
   several months after you stop taking cabergoline. Visit your doctor
   regularly.

   Dostinex Patient Information including How Should I Take
   RxList

   Take the Kidney Disease Quiz
   Kidney Stones:Learn How to Prevent Them

   Kidney Stone Slideshow Pictures
   High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension

   High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking cabergoline
(Dostinex)?

   You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cabergoline,
   or if you have:
     * uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
     * hypertension caused by pregnancy, including eclampsia and
       preeclampsia;
     * a history of heart or breathing problems;
     * if you have ever had a heart valve disorder; or
     * if you are allergic to any type of ergot medicine such as
       ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.
       45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine
       (Methergine).

   To make sure you can safely take cabergoline, tell your doctor if you
   have any of these other conditions:
     * liver disease;
     * heart disease; or
     * a breathing disorder.

   FDA pregnancy category B. Cabergoline is not expected to harm an unborn
   baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
   during treatment.

   It is not known whether cabergoline passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are
   using cabergoline.

How should I take cabergoline (Dostinex)?

   Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or
   smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions
   on your prescription label.

   Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have heart
   conditions that would prevent you from safely using cabergoline. Your
   heart function may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph
   or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This machine measures electrical
   activity of the heart.

   Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the
   best results.

   Cabergoline is usually taken twice each week for at least 6 months. Do
   not take this medication every day unless your doctor tells you to.

   To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will
   need to be tested on a regular basis to measure your prolactin levels.
   Your doctor may want to continue checking your prolactin levels for
   several months after you stop taking cabergoline. Visit your doctor
   regularly.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Dostinex Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   RxList

   Take the Kidney Disease Quiz
   Kidney Stones:Learn How to Prevent Them

   Kidney Stone Slideshow Pictures
   High Blood Pressure: Learn About Hypertension

   High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Dostinex)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Dostinex)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include stuffy nose, hallucinations, or
   fainting.

What should I avoid while taking cabergoline (Dostinex)?

   Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may
   feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

What other drugs will affect cabergoline (Dostinex)?

   Before using cabergoline, tell your doctor if you regularly use other
   medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine,
   sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
   and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to
   sleepiness caused by cabergoline.

   Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
     * chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
     * clarithromycin (Biaxin);
     * droperidol (Inapsine);
     * erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, and
       others);
     * fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin);
     * haloperidol (Haldol);
     * metoclopramide (Reglan);
     * perphenazine (Trilafon);
     * prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro);
     * promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus);
     * thiothixene (Navane);
     * thioridazine (Mellaril);
     * trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or
     * any type of blood pressure medication.

   This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with
   cabergoline. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This
   includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
   Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information (Dostinex)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about cabergoline.
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