Cabergoline and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Gaz...
• February 20, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "I am 34 years of age, male, and for years, since 2003, when I was just 21 years of age, I started feeling really depressed and started suffering from anxiety. But prior, in the buildup to this, I had also suffered from depleted sex drive, foggy memory, mood swings, and low energy. I always needed an afternoon nap to get me through the day, no matter how much sleep I had. Anyway, I had been going to doctors for years. I was prescribed Citalopram, which did 90% eradicate the anxiety and definitely the depression, but I still suffered from the other symptoms. I always told them how I felt, had tests for diabetes, checked my thyroid, etc., all coming back clear. Long story short, I found out I had a pituitary tumor and took cabergoline, and everything cleared up. Felt great!!!!!"

• 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."

• Esy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "I have been diagnosed with a microprolactinoma (4x9 mm) about a month ago. My prolactin levels were around 150 ng/ml. I started using cabergoline 0.25 mg twice a week. At the end of only one month, my prolactin levels dropped from 150 to 3 ng/ml. I have been told to use it for about 2 years to eventually shrink the tumor. The side effects were (especially in the first 2 weeks) nausea, extreme fatigue, and depression. I started on Zoloft for the depression, and it worked pretty well."

• 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."

• emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2022

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I used it for almost a year for the treatment of prolactinoma. After six months, I did an MRI, and the tumor is smaller, but the effects are terrible: fatigue, sick stomach, foggy mind, depression. I do not know what to say. I am very tired, I do not know how it will go like this. Next month, I have an appointment with my endo, and I will say that I can't use it anymore."

• Dri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 8, 2019

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was diagnosed with prolactinoma in '01 after lactating 1.5 years with increased breast size. It all started after 3 months of Prozac in '98. Nurse wouldn't believe it until I could demonstrate by shooting milk across the room. Put on Bromo for 3 months but it was intolerable, then Dostinex 0.5 mg twice/week ever since. Prolactin levels have stayed below 15. Endo recently explained organ fibrosis/heart issues with the medication, that it's usually only used for 5 years max, plus once you hit menopause it is not needed. I stopped 3 weeks ago. Breast size decreased 3 inches within a week - dream come true! They had increased 5 cup sizes in the past 10 years. Then last week they suddenly got big again, plus milky discharge. My bad side effects - depression, rage, fatigue, weakness, worst is huge boobs which the medication originally controlled for many years. I felt human again for 3 weeks. Also have MS which cabergoline worsens. This temporary, drastic decrease in breast size while off the medication has me baffled. Will ask for brand Dostinex (was switched to generic years ago)."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2020

"I've been on this cabergoline for 4 days, and have never felt worse in my life. My depression is through the roof, I have no energy or motivation throughout the day. All I want to do is sleep, and when I'm awake, everything is a fog. I'm like a totally different person, and everyone around me can see it. Thank God I only need to take it 10 days, but I would rather just stop it now."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2020

"I've been on this cabergoline for 4 days, and have never felt worse in my life. My depression is through the roof, I have no energy or motivation throughout the day. All I want to do is sleep, and when I'm awake, everything is a fog. I'm like a totally different person, and everyone around me can see it. Thank God I only need to take it 10 days, but I would rather just stop it now."

• 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."

• Cal...
• January 28, 2025

For Hyperprolactinemia "Found out after 2 years of being written off as perimenopause symptoms, I’ve got a prolactinoma. I knew as time went on it was more than peri, my fatigue was awful. I could barely stay awake at times, despite a very healthy lifestyle. The migraines got worse over the last 2 years, I never suffered from migraines or even light headaches before. Then came the milk-4 months of lactating! Anyhow, been on cabergoline, only 0.25 mg, 1 x per week for 2 weeks now. Within 2 days, no joke, my energy restored-well, actually like I’ve never had before, to be honest. Made me wonder if prolactin always ridden high, from the start to the end of my day. I’m working out in the morning and full of energy still through work shifts to the end of the day! 4 days in, no more milk (!), normal boobs without milk! Aww, the joy lol! And the migraines have nearly vanished, just had 2 light ones. Only downside I’ve noticed so far is my sleep. It’s like I’m barely needing it (but I know I do!!). I will watch out for that! I’m so happy!"

• Ang...
• May 9, 2016

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "Avoid this drug at all costs! I took it to bring down my prolactin levels, which it did, but I had some extreme side effects. Severe depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, just to name a few."