Cabergoline (Dostinex)
kuh-BER-goh-leen
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
FDA approved for hyperprolactinemia and Parkinson's. Off-label use in performance contexts is sometimes discussed.
Standard Dose
Twice weekly
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral
Research Stage
Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.
Overview
Cabergoline works by activating dopamine receptors in the pituitary, which reduces prolactin production. It's used medically for conditions with high prolactin, and in some performance communities it's discussed for managing prolactin-related symptoms—but off-label use varies and should only be considered with clinician input. Because it has a long half-life, dosing is typically infrequent when prescribed.
Plain-language summary
Cabergoline works by activating dopamine receptors in the pituitary, which reduces prolactin production. It's used medically for conditions with high prolactin, and in some performance communities it's discussed for managing prolactin-related symptoms—but off-label use varies and should only be considered with clinician input. Because it has a long half-life, dosing is typically infrequent when prescribed.
Administration Routes
- Oral
Also known as
Mechanisms
Dopamine D2 receptor agonist - strongly inhibits prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland.
Detailed mechanism
Dopamine D2 receptor agonist - inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. Modulates cellular pathways and enzyme activity to produce therapeutic effects at the molecular level.
Safety
Side effects
- Nausea (especially early doses)
- Dizziness and low blood pressure
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Potential heart valve concerns at very high exposure in specific populations
Reported benefits
- Lowers prolactin levels
- Used for hyperprolactinemia and prolactin-related conditions
- Long-acting dosing when prescribed
Safety profile
Well-characterized safety profile from clinical use and trials. Risk may vary by dose and patient factors.
Clinical trials
Completed clinical trials leading to FDA approval.
Structure
Verified structure
Cabergoline (Dostinex)
Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.
- Chemical Formula
- C26H37N5O2
- Molecular Weight
- 451.60 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 81409-90-7
- InChIKey
- KORNTPPJEAJQIU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Stack Context
Stacks with
References
- 1View source
A comparison of cabergoline and bromocriptine in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea (NEJM)
1994
- 2View source
Withdrawal of long-term cabergoline therapy for tumoral and nontumoral hyperprolactinemia (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)
2003
- 3View source
Valvular heart disease and the use of dopamine agonists for Parkinson's disease (NEJM)
2007
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.