Cabergoline: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When you hear Cabergoline, a long-acting dopamine agonist used to lower prolactin and improve movement in Parkinson’s. Also known as Dostinex, it’s one of the few medications that can normalize hormone levels without surgery. Many people take it for high prolactin — a condition that can cause infertility, missed periods, or low sex drive — but it’s also used for Parkinson’s and sometimes for pituitary tumors called prolactinomas. Unlike older drugs that need multiple daily doses, Cabergoline works for days at a time, making it easier to stick with.

It doesn’t just block prolactin — it mimics dopamine, the brain’s natural signal that tells the pituitary gland to stop making prolactin. That’s why it’s so effective for hyperprolactinemia, a condition where the body makes too much prolactin, often due to a benign pituitary tumor. It also helps with prolactinoma, a noncancerous tumor in the pituitary that overproduces prolactin. In Parkinson’s, it helps reduce tremors and stiffness by boosting dopamine activity in the brain, even when natural levels are dropping. It’s not a cure, but for many, it’s a game-changer in daily function.

Side effects are usually mild — nausea, dizziness, or fatigue — but they often fade after a few weeks. What matters most is getting the dose right. Too much can cause low blood pressure or heart valve issues over time. That’s why doctors start low and go slow. If you’re taking it for prolactin, you’ll likely need blood tests every few months to check levels. If it’s for Parkinson’s, your neurologist will track movement and adjust as needed.

You’ll find real-world insights in the posts below — from how Cabergoline compares to other dopamine drugs, to what patients actually experience when using it long-term, and even how it interacts with other meds like antidepressants or blood pressure pills. Whether you’re newly prescribed, struggling with side effects, or just trying to understand why your doctor chose this over another option, the information here is grounded in what actually works — not just theory.