First-lineDostinex

Cabergoline

Dopamine D2 agonist

Suppress lactation; treat prolactinoma.

Oral

First-line for

  • Lactation suppression (stillbirth, neonatal death, HIV)
  • Hyperprolactinaemia / prolactinoma

Mechanism

D2 agonism → ↓ prolactin secretion.

Cabergoline

  • 1 mg PO single dose for lactation suppression

Dosing

Lactation suppression
1 mg PO single dose within 24 h of delivery
Prolactinoma
0.25–0.5 mg twice weekly

Contraindications

  • AbsoluteUncontrolled hypertension, pre-eclampsia, valvular heart disease

Side effects

  • Postural hypotension, nausea
  • Fibrosis (cardiac, retro-peritoneal) at high dose

Fetal & maternal notes

  • Stop once pregnancy confirmed in prolactinoma (specialist).

Key interactions

  • Antihypertensives

    Caution

    ↑ hypotension

  • Antipsychotics

    Caution

    Mutual antagonism

Clinical pearls

  • 💡 Preferred over bromocriptine (less SE, weekly dosing).
  • 💡 Echo before long-term high-dose.

Content last reviewed: REPLACE_ME (e.g. 2026-07)

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For educational use only

Not medical advice. Verify dosing against the BNF and your local trust guidelines before prescribing.