You won't necessarily have vomiting and dizziness on Cabergoline.

When you start, let us know what your symptoms are...and we can make some suggestions as to how to take the meds, etc...and help minimize those side effects.

Don't despair, we'll get through this together.

Tigerpaws is right. I was terrified about what side effects I'd experience on Cabergoline, but fortunately, I have had virtually none. On a couple of occasions, I have woken up in the middle of the night (a few hours after taking my dose) feeling a little wired and high, but not bad. Also, if I take it on a full stomache, I have zero nausea. I've also found that the medication makes me sharper and more focused. I feel more able to concentrate on even the most mundane tasks. It seems to make me more motivated which is a definite plus :)

I have a pituitary adenoma and found mine to be non existent in an mri to have it be 13mm only 2 years later. I have been taking cabergoline for about 6 months and my last mri showed it at only 6mm. I do not like being on that drug. I do experience lots of headaches and unlike the other post, I have a hard time sleeping and focusing. However, these are small prices to pay when I had been told based off of some of my results that I might be headed for brain surgery. Keep a close eye on it because it can start to secrete other hormones and cause other problems. Cabergoline sucks but it's my miracle drug. Good Luck. (No vomiting or nausea for me)

I've been taking Cabergoline for 2 years now and the advice I was given at the beginning was to take it at night, or early evening, so that you can lay down and to take it with food. I did feel a little dizzy and sicky at the beginning but this soon passed after a couple of weeks or so. The only thing that cabergoline does now is that I'm usually asleep within 30-40 minutes after taking it.....oh well at least I get an early nights sleep :)

Take care Xx

Hello all, I have high prolactin also, 175. This is the first time I have gotten meds for it even though I've struggled with this most of my adult life. Getting through cushing's like symptoms was already hard enough, I'm 49 and got on the standard dose last night, 1/2 pill twice a week. Pharmacist said I could 1/4 it if I want to lessen side effects. I took half last night and felt totally wired after a few hours. Wasn't sure if it was in my head because I was anxious and hate taking ANYTHING pharmo. But I did get a weird headache last night and woke up with a slight hangover. Do these things pass after a few weeks? What's the best time to take it? I'm worried because I'm a cashier and on my feet all day and don't want to get dizzy or tired. Please if you have any suggestions- also it is very hard chopping these tiny pills with a pill cutter!

hi

It is best to take these tablets in the evening so that you can lay down/ sleep them off. The funny dizzy / spaced out feeling only lasted for a couple of weeks for me, until I got used to the medication. I must admitt that I still take them in the evening even though I am used to them now.

I hope that things go well for you

Take care Xx

@Boozygirl, thanks for your response. Just knowing there are others on this drug helps feel supportive. When I was younger (stoneage ago!) used drugs in the 70's and hate anything that feels mind altering to me. Had some bad experiences. I'm totally in holistic health and do counseling on the side for free with people. I have had to stop taking the usual herbs because some of them are dopamine agonists, didn't want to magnify any feelings. Thanks again

Anyone having muscle aches and chills, flu symptoms with cabergoline? I just started on cabergoline this past week, .25/mg at at time, took second dost last night, and the symptoms definitely correlated with when I took the meds, and then taper off.

Seems like it's one of the rarer side effects. Any advice?

Also, any differences between dostinex brand and generic in terms of side effects?


Thanks!

About to start taking cabergoline. Just diagnosed last week. I'm optimistic that it will work, but scared because my endo wants me to be on for at least 5 yrs then drug holiday. Sounds like I'm gonna be on and off it the rest of my life? I'm only 33. This sucks! What should I expect? Can you drink while on it? I love having wine with my husband & my friends but it sounds like that's not going to happen anymore. It's bad enough that I have a tumor, now my social life is going to change as well?

Any suggestions to help lessen side effects?

@pharmgirl 24

I am 32, nearly 33 and I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. My Endo was very supportive when I started taking Cabergoline and she told me to read the leaflet, which I did. The only thing that I can say is that it is best to take it in the evening as it can often make you feel tired - this still happens to me. As for drinking....I still go out any enjoy a few glasses of wine or pints of lager but not on the nights that I take my tablets. This is mainly due to the fact that alcohol and Cabergoline don't work well together for me.

It is totally understandable that being diagnosed with a prolactinoma is a great shock. I was very pleased that I took my fiance, now husband, with me when I was diagnosed. However there is absolutely no reason why your life should change too much, apart from the trips to the hospital etc.

The most important thing for me is to remain positive and still enjoy life and everything that it has got to offer.....even fabulous nights out with family and friends.

I hope that this has helped and take care Xx

Thanks boozygirl,

I definitely needed to hear something positive about taking this drug. I took my first dose last night and basically tossed & turned all night & woke up with a splitting headache. But that will probably subside (I hope). I took it on a full stomach and did have 2 glasses of wine but that was at 4pm & went to bed at 10. So, it was probably mostly out of my system by then. I just want to feel better soon. I want my sex drive back & I want to stop lactating!!

I know exactly how you feel, as do many people on here. Before being diagnosed I always wondered what had happened to me as I lost all interest in my fiance whereas we had been a strong couple beforehand.

The dizzy, headachy, spaced out feeling that I had with the tablets only lasted a couple of weeks or so and it didn' really take that long for 'other things' to get back to normal. My husband and I have got a much happier and stronger relationship now than we ever have done. I think that we appreciate each other a lot more and we make time for each other more than we have done in the past.

The thing to remember is that you will be ok and just to keep smiling :) but most importantly is that there are people to help and support you.

Take care Xx

Thanks boozygirl. Nice to hear some positive affirmation. I took my first dose on Sunday night at bedtime but woke up about an hour later totally wired. I couldn't really sleep at all, kinda felt like speed. The next morning I had the worst headache I think I've ever had in my life. As the day progressed I got more brain fog & tired (probably because I hadn't slept) & headache continued. No nausea but I took it easy & ate small bland meals just in case. Days 2 & 3 were fine, no major effects. Gonna take 2nd dose tonight. Only taking 1/2 tab (0.25mg) right now, probably titrate myself up as I feel better. Should I take it during the day so that I can sleep that evening? Seems most people say take at bedtime but I don't want to wake up & feel buzzed in the middle of the night.

Everyone is different so it is really hard to tell when is the best time to take it. I take 0.25mg twice weekly and I take mine in the evening as thay make me very tired. It might be an idea to take one during the day, but try it at the weekend when you don't have to go to work or you can relax if you don't feel well enough to do anything. The first few weeks are such a rollercoaster....trying to get your head around the diagnosis, starting meds and thinking about the future. At least you know that things can only get better and that the brian fog etc only lasts for a short while.

Hope that this has helped

Take care Xx

Chemistry with your endo is really important and if you don't feel like he cares, consider finding another one. He may be holding back for fear of getting sued but then again, you are paying for their expertise.

My first one was referred to me by my regular doctor and even though she was at a prestigious hospital, she was horrendous. She was never forthcoming and I never knew what questions to ask.

I found my current one through Yelp, of all places and begged him to take me as a new patient. And he freaking rocks!

But to answer your original question, I was on 1/2 a pill 3x/week. It was tolerable at first (mild dizziness, some headaches, pins/needles) but eventually they subsided. But because it built up in my bloodstream, eventually the dizziness came back. But the best part was that it has been easier to lose weight now.

Now I'm on 1/2 a pill 2x a week and life is peachy!