Cabergoline: Uses, Side Effects, and What You Need to Know

When you hear cabergoline, a long-acting dopamine agonist used to treat high prolactin levels and Parkinson’s disease. Also known as Dostinex, it works by mimicking dopamine in the brain to shut down excess prolactin production. Unlike short-acting drugs, cabergoline stays active for days, which is why most people take it just once or twice a week. It’s not a quick fix—it’s a steady tool used by doctors to reset hormone balance or help with movement disorders.

High prolactin, or hyperprolactinemia, a condition where the body makes too much prolactin, often causing infertility, low sex drive, or milk production outside of breastfeeding, is the most common reason people take cabergoline. It’s also prescribed for pituitary tumors called prolactinomas, which can grow if left unchecked. For Parkinson’s, dopamine agonist, a class of drugs that activate dopamine receptors to replace lost brain signals in movement disorders drugs like cabergoline help reduce tremors and stiffness, especially when levodopa alone isn’t enough. It’s not a cure, but it helps people move better and feel more like themselves.

Side effects are real but often mild: nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are common at first. Most people adjust within a week or two. A small number report heart valve issues with long-term, high-dose use—this is why doctors monitor heart health over time. Cabergoline isn’t for everyone. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver disease, or a history of heart valve problems, your doctor will likely choose another option. It’s also not safe during pregnancy unless you’re being treated for a prolactinoma that could threaten the pregnancy.

What you won’t find in most patient guides is how often cabergoline is used off-label—for example, to help with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction or even to reduce cravings in some addiction cases. These uses aren’t FDA-approved, but they’re common in clinical practice. The real power of cabergoline lies in its precision: it targets specific receptors without flooding the whole system. That’s why it’s preferred over older drugs like bromocriptine, which cause more side effects and need to be taken multiple times a day.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve used cabergoline—whether for hormone issues, Parkinson’s, or other conditions. You’ll see how it’s paired with other meds, how to handle side effects, and what to ask your doctor before starting. This isn’t theoretical. These are the questions patients actually ask, and the answers they get.