Cabergoline and Headaches: 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."

• Mus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2022

For Hyperprolactinemia "I just started cabergoline for the third time in the last decade. Had to stop twice before due to pregnancy. My levels have always been moderately elevated, 56-118. For new users of the drug, be aware that the first month can be difficult. Nausea and terrible headaches were consistent for me. But after 4 weeks, they are gone, and after 6 weeks, you’ll feel like a new person! I looked in the mirror one day, and it was like I was looking at a new person. My face appeared much healthier, no bags under my eyes, I had color to my skin again. I lost about 12 lbs in the first 6 weeks. No more lactation, and my periods were back to normal. For me, this drug is life-changing. Push through the initial side effects to see the results. It’s a strong drug, but it’s worth it."

• M A...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2014

For Hyperprolactinemia "My prolactin levels are down now from 35,000 to 330, my headache is going away day after day, and also I have lost some weight. Also, my sex drive is fabulous no joke from once every month before it into 40 times weekly. I feel normal again, so I love it."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2019

For Hyperprolactinemia "Recently (week 2) started this drug of 0.5 mg twice weekly. Was very iffy about taking it due to the reports of the side effects, but I must say I have not experienced any side effects with this medication so far. The first day, I did feel like I took a bunch of muscle relaxers and a little headache, but since then, nothing."

• Wal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I started taking cabergoline a month ago. Hoping to lower my prolactin levels. Hoping it has worked, I have had a couple of side effects. One being slight headaches and the other is the huge sexual urge. It has changed my life completely. For the better."

• 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."

• Mca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I have this bad headache and abnormal period. I went to OB for a check-up, then she requested my prolactin and LH to be tested. My prolactin was 1154 last June 20, and now, after 4 tablets of cabergoline, it went down to 5.82. Thanks."

• 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."

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2019

For Hyperprolactinemia "After years of being told I should lose weight for my pain and excessive bleeding, and lactating. Then the tumor was found. I have been on cabergoline for 6 months. I was diagnosed with a macroadenoma. I was prescribed 1/2 tablet twice a week. Now I take .5 tablet once a week. I approached my endocrinologist with my symptoms of nausea, headaches, mood swings, confusion, and complaint of extremely heavy bleeding, and the solution was birth control. The medicine is shrinking my tumor, but the side effects are leaving me in a horrible situation..."

• Gem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2022

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been taking cabergoline for about a month now due to high prolactin levels (76). It was prescribed by my doctor, but side effects have been rough. My anxiety levels have been through the roof. The first time I took the pill, I had a horrible headache, sometimes it's difficult to breathe, and last week I almost fainted at work. I haven't checked my prolactin levels again since I'm waiting for the treatment to be over (a month and a half of taking a pill of 0.5 mg twice a week), but oh man, so far it's been a terrible experience. I just want it to be over. But hey, at least I got my period back and my sex drive back, and I wasn't even aware that I had lost it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2014

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been taking cabergoline for about a month now, and my first 2 weeks I had really bad headaches and stomach aches the next day. Now I just experience a very bloated stomach like twice a week, which is annoying. I'm hoping that stops and I lose some of this weight gain because of this high prolactin."

• lex...
• June 1, 2017

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I used Dostinex 2 years ago for a few months. I had nausea and vomiting the first few days, but I continued taking it for a year and the side effects went away. My prolactin went from just over 200 down to 94. It also helped me lose weight. I had to stop taking it because it was too expensive. I started taking it again 2 weeks ago and the only side effect I have is mild headaches."

• L J...
• August 2, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "32 yr. old male. Prolactin levels 55.9. I've been on cabergoline for 4 weeks now. My lab results came back, and I am now within the healthy range at 9.9. I went maybe 2 weeks with bad nausea and headaches, then they subsided, and those effects are less intense and less frequent. I rated a 7 because the medicine certainly works quickly at bringing down prolactin. I do not know the results about it shrinking the adenoma or not yet, so I am still unsure if it works on that front. So far, so good. While the side effects were annoying and disrupted my daily life, it is certainly better than the alternative of surgery to remove the 'noma' from my pituitary gland."

• Dil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I'm a 23 y/o male with secondary hypogonadism caused by high prolactin levels. My initial prolactin was 3900 (47-405) and testosterone 1.6 (10-38). After being on this drug for 4 months, my prolactin dropped to 1045 and testosterone risen to 17.9. I'm taking 0.5 mg of cabergoline 3 times a week. Although my prolactin levels are not yet within the normal range, it has brought back my T levels from 1.6 to 17.9, which is amazing. Side effects are mild depression, headache, and drowsiness. I take it in the evening to prevent such bad effects of the drug."

• Mot...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2022

For Hyperprolactinemia "Found out I had microadenoma and high prolactin levels of over 1800 back in 2019 due to breasts leaking and not pregnant. Been on cabergoline 3 years now. I went for my MRI in Feb this year, and it’s still the same size etc., it’s not shrunk, I’m still secreting milk. I have not seen the endo in ages. My mood's not been good, headaches, little weight loss (only just after 3 years)."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2021

For Hyperprolactinemia "I've been instructed to take 0.5 (1/2) dosage of cabergoline after getting a result that my prolactin level is too high, which symptoms were irregular (absent) menstruation, breast milk, and not pregnant or breastfeeding, infertility. So I just started taking them. I am told to take half every week. So far, they are making me sick: headache."

• 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."

• Lil...
• February 2, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "The only side effects I get are stuffy nose and headaches. Stuffy noses are supposedly an unusual side effect, but I get one every time I take cabergoline."

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2013

For Hyperprolactinemia "I just took three doses of 0.25 mg cabergoline, but I developed a severe headache and even fainted. My doctor suggested stopping the medication for about a month."

• sum...
• October 30, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I have been using cabergoline for one month now, but day by day I'm gaining weight, feeling very tired, mild headache, sleeplessness."