Cabergoline
Cabergoline (Dostinex) is a dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin levels in hyperprolactinaemia. The single tablet product listed here comes in 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths.
Key points
- Cabergoline acts mainly through dopamine D2 receptors on the pituitary gland.
- Dostinex is the original brand of cabergoline, marketed by Pfizer.
How does Cabergoline work?
Cabergoline binds to dopamine D2 receptors on the prolactin-producing cells of the pituitary gland. By mimicking dopamine, the body’s natural signal that keeps prolactin in check, it tells those cells to reduce secretion. The prolactin-lowering effect lasts well beyond a single dose because cabergoline stays bound to the receptors for an extended period, which is why it is described as long-acting.
For someone with Hyperprolactinaemia, the medicine works at the source, quieting the cells that drive the excess. Dostinex is listed under Hormone Therapy on this shelf.