Dostinex Side Effects

Generic name: cabergoline

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 23, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about cabergoline. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dostinex.

Applies to cabergoline: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Dostinex

Along with its needed effects, cabergoline (the active ingredient contained in Dostinex) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cabergoline:

Less common

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
general feeling of discomfort or illness
rapid weight gain
swelling around the eyes
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss

Incidence not known

Chest pain or tightness
continuing loss of appetite
continuing or severe abdominal or stomach pain
continuing or severe nausea and vomiting
cough
decreased ability to exercise
fever
increased frequency of urination
loss of appetite
lower abdominal or stomach pain
lower back pain
nausea
trouble breathing
vomiting
weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking cabergoline:

Symptoms of overdose

Fainting
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
stuffy nose

Other side effects of Dostinex

Some side effects of cabergoline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
dizziness
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
full feeling
headache
lack or loss of strength
passing gas

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain
acid or sour stomach
anxiety
belching
blemishes on the skin
breast pain
burning, itching, or stinging of the skin
changes in vision
cramps
depression
diarrhea
difficulty with moving
dry mouth or toothache
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of warmth
gas
heartburn
heavy bleeding
indigestion
itching skin
joint pain
muscle aches and pains
muscle stiffness
pimples
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
runny nose
sensation of spinning
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sneezing
sore throat
stomach discomfort or upset
sudden sweating
trouble sleeping
weight loss

Rare

Bloody nose
difficulty in concentrating
increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
increased interest in sexual intercourse

Incidence not known

Attack, assault, or force
feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
feeling that others can hear your thoughts
hair loss or thinning of the hair
pathological gambling
severe mood or mental changes
unusual behavior

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cabergoline: oral tablet.

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 29%)

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dyspepsia, gastritis, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, dry mouth, diarrhea, flatulence, throat irritation, toothache^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%), dizziness (up to 17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness/vertigo, dyskinesia, paresthesia, somnolence

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperkinesia

Frequency not reported: Sudden sleep onset, syncope, tremor^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, malaise^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Hallucinations sleep disturbance, increased libido, confusion, depression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Delusions, psychotic disorder

Frequency not reported: Aggression, hypersexuality, pathological gambling^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema

Common (1% to 10%): Angina (with concomitant levodopa use), postural hypotension, hot flashes, cardiac valvulopathy, hypotension, dependent edema, palpitation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythromelalgia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Syncope, heart failure

Frequency not reported: Constrictive pericarditis, digital vasospasm

Postmarketing reports: Cardiac valvulopathy, pericarditis, pericardial effusion^[Ref]

Reports of cardiac valvulopathy have generally been received in patients on higher doses (greater than 2 mg/day); however, there have been cases in patients receiving lower doses for the treatment of hyperprolactinemic disorders. In a multi-country, retrospective cohort study, record review looking for an association between the new use of dopamine agonists (including this drug; n=27,812) and cardiac valvular regurgitation (CVR), other fibrosis, and other cardiopulmonary events found an increased risk of CVR among patients with Parkinson's disease when compared to non-ergot derived dopamine agonists and levodopa. Analysis in patients with hyperprolactinemia treated with this drug (n=8386) found that compared to non-users, exposed persons did not have an elevated risk of CVR. These findings are consistent with other published studies.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Leg cramps^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, acne, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Alopecia^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis, rhinitis

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Fibrosis (including pleural fibrosis)

Frequency not reported: Respiratory disorder, respiratory failure, pleuritic, chest pain^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Periorbital edema, abnormal vision^[Ref]

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Breast pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysmenorrhea^[Ref]

General

Adverse effects are generally dose related. At lower doses, the more commonly reported adverse reactions included nausea, headache, dizziness/vertigo, abdominal pain/dyspepsia/gastritis, asthenia/fatigue; at higher doses, additional events of valvulopathy, dyspnea, dyskinesia, orthostatic hypotension, hallucination, and constipation have been commonly reported.^[Ref]