Cabergoline and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Can...
• March 2, 2021

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been on Dosintex for three months now. In the first two weeks, I noticed a boost in my mood and energy levels. It was as if a fog of depression had been lifted from me. I had mild headaches and a slight loss of appetite. Longer-term, the headaches and nausea subsided, and my mood leveled out. My PMS symptoms (mostly mood-related) have decreased substantially. My emotions and mental health are more stable now than they have been for years. My periods, which were unpredictable or absent previously, have returned to normal. Prior to taking cabergoline, I experienced constant slight lactation due to the elevated prolactin. After about a month on the medication, the lactation stopped completely, and my breasts have shrunk about half a cup size. My libido and sleeping patterns remain unchanged. I've lost about 5 pounds of body weight. I have noticed that if I consume alcohol, I become more easily disoriented and a bit dizzy."

• Rac...
• October 18, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been on cabergoline 0.25 for 2 weeks now for hyperprolactinemia caused by a microadenoma. Before I started taking it, I came on here for reviews and almost said no to it because all these comments about the side effects made me so nervous. I'll sit here and be the one to say this medication gave me next to no side effects. I had a pretty bad headache for the first 2 times, after that, I have no side effects at all. No idea if my prolactin level is any lower, but I feel my vision coming back slowly and less frequent dizziness. Hoping a few more weeks I can get back to my regular routine."

• que...
• May 31, 2015

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "This drug reduced my prolactin levels really quick. I did not have a visible prolactinoma on my MRI, but my doctor suspected it was really small. After 2 months, my prolactin levels decreased from 2000 to 150. In the first month, I felt a bit dizzy and wanted to sleep a lot more than usual (I had a few cat naps, which is heaps out of character for me - I never usually sleep during the day). This went away after about a month, and I generally feel fine taking Dostinex. I've been taking it for about 6 months now. I recommend you give it a go!"

• Mal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2016

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I have been taking Dostinex/cabergoline for 14 years. The main constant side effect is headaches. It feels like an ice pick is stabbing me in my head for a couple of seconds, and then it goes away just as quickly as it started. It only happens maybe a couple of times a month. I also find I get tired more easily and sometimes need to rest during the day. In addition, my vision has worsened. I stopped the medicine for about a year now, and I'm getting dizzy quite often lately, and my vision is worse. I fear my tumor has grown and need to see my endocrinologist again. God bless all."

• Dol...
• June 19, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "I am on week 9 of 0.5 mg once a week for two micro-prolactinomas on my pituitary gland. I will have labs done at week 12 to see if my prolactin level has decreased. This condition and/or medication has given me side effects that absolutely challenge me and affect my quality of life. EXTREME fatigue, hair loss, excruciating headaches, depression, nausea/vomiting, menstrual (like) cramps, bloating, excessive urination (up every 90 mins all night), dizziness, vision loss, etc. It has been extremely difficult to go to work & function well."

• pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2020

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I just started Dostinex. It is my second week, and the side effects are headaches and dizziness. I feel sick as ever. I did not get sleep. It is better to take it with a meal at night to get fewer side effects. My prolactin was 77.4, waiting for next week to see if it decreases. I used Parlodel 5 years ago, but I stopped because of side effects, and it has not decreased my prolactin. So far, Dostinex is better."

• Tin...
• August 14, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "I have a macro non-functioning pituitary adenoma, which is causing compression of my pituitary stalk, 'stalk effect,' which causes increases in prolactin blood levels. My endo put me on this to reduce the 'stalk effect' I'm suffering from my macro adenoma. My crushing headaches have weakened, the lactating stopped, and my period is back on schedule. However, the side effects are extreme. They last about 5 days after taking my dose for the week. The nausea is unbearable, causing me to take a drug for that at $104/month, as I spent all day vomiting. I have what I describe as a feeling of being drunk and hungover all at once. I can't drive, but for two days a week. So tired, dizzy, weak, low blood pressure, flu-like. I am hoping for surgery soon, but I live so remotely logistics make it difficult, as I'm 13 hours from the specialists. I rated a 5, as the headaches were horrid, but so are the side effects."

• T M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2022

For Hyperprolactinemia "My experience using cabergoline has helped so far. As of 5/2022, my prolactin levels are down from 105 to 40. I started this drug in 4/2022, and since then, I've noticed dizziness, faintness, passing gas, slight blurriness in vision, increased mood (extra happiness), and cramps. Also, my bathroom routine is about the same. This drug has not impacted my ability to work or drive."

• Gin...
• December 23, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been taking it for about two weeks now because I have a prolactinoma, and so far the side effects have been fatigue, extreme headache, and my ears pop a lot as if I'm on an airplane, flu-like symptoms, stuffy nose, drowsy, dizzy, but it's not that bad. Also, really bad stomach pain, so I usually take it before I sleep."

• Jea...
• September 21, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was diagnosed with a pituitary microadenoma. At first, my doctor gave me bromocriptine 2.5 mg every day for the hyperprolactinemia. I took it for only 4 days because I was so sick after 4 days, dizzy, nausea, vomiting, and the buzzing in my left ear was so loud I felt like there was air inside. I ended up at the emergency room. So the doctor changed my meds to cabergoline 2.5 mg once a week, but the side effects are so bad too. I took it for only 2 weeks, I can't stand it anymore, dizziness and the nausea are the worst."

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 30, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "Male 43-year-old. Been on cabergoline for 10 years. Diagnosed with prolactinoma on the pituitary. Lots of side effects that got progressively worse. Depression, anger, loss of motivation, dizziness, horrible insomnia, occasional intestinal distress."

• Anj...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 15, 2018

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "After getting nauseated and not being able to function well on the other two Dopa agonists I tried, no nausea and no noticeable dizziness on this. Immediately upon starting cabergoline, I slept like a baby. It was a very noticeable change. Then, after a few months, I became an insomniac. The other persistent things were that I developed a stuffy nose when my dose was due and for about a day after taking it (every four days). I was also more tired the day after I took it (always at night). A good side effect was being able to drink very little with full effect. My temper was better than it was prior. It may have boosted my libido slightly. Eventually, I got my dose down to about an eighth of a pill, then a couple of months ago, I lost my bottle. Withdrawal was sleeping incredibly poorly for about four to five nights. I’m not lactating, as I did every time when stopping it over the years, so maybe middle age is working for me. Cheaper in Canada, but recommend you get brand Dostinex only."

• Gue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "Cabergoline has been effective in lowering my prolactin levels and shrinking my tumor. However, the side effects are rough. Dizziness, extremely tired, nearly constant nausea, which often leads to vomiting. Cabergoline is better than the other two medications I have tried, though."

• Sha...
• January 29, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "2nd time on this medication for a naughty tumor secreting prolactin. Medication did cause me to go a little loopy and dizzy during the beginning, as a result, I take the medication late in the evening so I sleep through the worst of it. I experienced hallucinations while on the drug, thinking I'm seeing spiders crawl up the wall in the corner of my eye. Once I look, they disappear, the hallucinations are more frequent in dark rooms. Changes in behavior, I find it more difficult to control strong emotions. It's a bit annoying to get hold of, my pharmacy never has it in stock, so I have to ring ahead to ensure it's ordered before I run out."

• zba...
• February 5, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "After 1.5 months of treatment, it has reduced my prolactin levels from 1264 μUI/mL to 285 μUI/mL. I take 0.25 mg weekly during meals, as specified in the patient information leaflet (Europe) to prevent nausea and vomiting. I take it in the evening to prevent dizziness. When I took the second dose, I started experiencing skin itching (I am prone to allergies), so now I take 1 tablet of Claritin (loratadine) one hour before taking cabergoline. I have had mild constipation. The next day after the first dose, I felt like I was rising from the dead. My depression was gone, my fatigue was gone, and in the first two weeks, my panic attacks (very strong before starting the treatment) were gone. Unfortunately, after two months of treatment, I am back to my “normal” depressed, tired, and anxious self. Now, however, I am also angry all the time. It also seems to stimulate my hirsutism, although I am on medication for lowering my testosterone levels."

• Zux...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2016

For Hyperprolactinemia "I am one month in taking this pill 0.5 mg every 3-4 days, and I feel extremely dizzy, more dizzy than before I took it. It's hard to focus, but I also feel it is doing its job and lowering my prolactin levels to where they need to be. I'm stopping the meds for now because the dizziness is too much. I take anti-nausea meds and antivertigo meds, and they work for a bit, but they wear off and it comes back more intense. I'm going this week to check my levels again. The pills work, the side effects are rough."

• Est...
• July 31, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "Just had an awful night from the effects of cabergoline 0.5 mg. Felt like there was poison in my stomach, and the abdominal pain is just too much. Had to vomit and had diarrhea at the same time. It just happened so suddenly. Most times, just had bad cramps and abdominal pain. Bad times I get this combo of pain, diarrhea, vomit, and dizziness. Four hours usually of intense abdominal pain and nightmare. I had started on the meds nine years ago and stopped because of the cost and the cost for the doc and the pain. But it works. It brought down the prolactin, and menstrual does come back. But once I stop the meds, everything went back to the same prolactin level >250. Wish there are no side effects. It's a painful experience, and since I had to take it every week."

• Jul...
• June 23, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "28-year-old female. I was first diagnosed with a 13mm prolactinoma, which was later figured out to be a non-functioning pituitary tumor. Turns out, after seeing an expert surgeon, it is a Rathke's Cleft Cyst on the pituitary stalk. After no results of improved hormone levels with 4 months of Bromocriptine, I started Cabergoline .5 mg, 2 times a week. Symptoms such as extreme dizziness and lightheadedness occurred, but after nearly 6 months on the medication, it's not as bad. Mood changes and depression began after a couple of months, and I hope to have my dosage decreased next week. All of my hormone levels were normal within 2-3 months, but I'm not sure I can deal with mood swings and depression. RCCs don't normally shrink with medication."

• tej...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2024

For Hyperprolactinemia "For the past 3 to 4 years, my periods were on and off. Two and a half years ago, I felt suicidal every night, after 3 months, I found out during my breast surgery recovery that my period absence was due to a pituitary tumor. My prolactin blood test showed 617, and an MRI revealed a tumor size of 8.5 * 10 * 9 mm. I was prescribed cabergoline 0.5 mg twice a week. Initially, I experienced headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. After 2 years in 2024, half of the tumor had shrunk. The doctor recommended continuing the medication for another two years. Recently, I've been experiencing dizziness when waking up, feeling depressed, not like myself, and easily getting frustrated over small matters. Despite this, I remain hopeful for better days."

• JKL...
• November 13, 2013

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I've been taking cabergoline for 7 years, and it has helped keep my prolactin level normal. I can take it anytime of the day, and it doesn't bother my stomach. I do get dizzy easier on this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2012

For Hyperprolactinemia "I took cabergoline twice a week (at night) for 5 months. The day after each dose, I felt extremely tired, nauseous, dizzy, constipated, and had a numbing headache. The symptoms got worse over time."