Dostinex Tablet: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan

Dostinex Tablet Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan

1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)

2. What is Dostinex Tablet? (Dostinex Tablet kya hai)

Dostinex (Cabergoline) is a long-acting dopamine D2 receptor agonist used in Pakistan for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia and prolactinoma. The medicine acts directly on the pituitary gland to stop prolactin production. Its major advantage is that it only needs to be taken twice a week (long half-life: 63–69 hours) — which is considerably better than bromocriptine. Reduced prolactin normalises periods in women, stops galactorrhoea (unwanted milk), and can resolve infertility. Never take without a doctor's prescription.

3. Uses (Fayde / Kis kaam aati hai)

• Hyperprolactinaemia — reducing elevated prolactin levels (irregular periods, galactorrhoea, infertility, sexual dysfunction)
• Prolactinoma — treatment and shrinkage of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour
• Female infertility due to high prolactin
• Suppression of lactation postpartum (less commonly used now)
• Acromegaly — adjunct therapy
• Restless Legs Syndrome — off-label

4. Who Should Take (Kis ko leni chahiye)

• Women with elevated prolactin, irregular periods, or galactorrhoea
• Patients with prolactinoma (pituitary tumour)
• Women with infertility due to high prolactin
• Patients specifically prescribed this medicine by their doctor

5. When NOT to Take (Kab nahi leni chahiye)

• Allergy to cabergoline or other ergot derivatives
• Uncontrolled hypertension (high BP)
• History of pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac valvulopathy, or pericardial fibrosis
• In pregnant women
• Serious liver disease

6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)

• As prescribed — typically twice weekly — doctor will start with slow titration

• As prescribed by your doctor — twice weekly dosing

• Do not exceed the recommended limit — dose is adjusted by the doctor according to prolactin levels

• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered if the next dose time is far away. If it is close, skip it. Never take a double dose.

7. How to Take (Kaise leni hai)

• Take twice a week — e.g. Sunday and Wednesday — keep to the same times regularly

• Take with food — reduces nausea

• Taking the first doses in the evening is better — if BP drops with the first dose, lying down is easier

• Swallow the tablet whole

8. Best Time (Kab leni chahiye)

• With food — reduces GI discomfort

• First doses in the evening — makes managing postural hypotension easier

9. Empty Stomach or After Food (Khali pait ya khane ke baad)

• Taking with food is better — taking on an empty stomach can increase nausea, particularly at the start of treatment.

10. Warnings (Ihtiyat)

• BP can drop after the first dose (postural hypotension) — take in the evening and stand up slowly and carefully

• Some patients can develop compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, or other impulse control issues — this is a dopamine agonist class effect; if this occurs, inform the doctor immediately and discuss the medicine

• Stop cabergoline when pregnancy is confirmed (was used to achieve pregnancy — now stop it)

• Exercise caution in patients with psychosis or a serious psychiatric history

11. Precautions (Ahm ehtiyaat)

• Cardiac risk is low at standard prolactin doses but the doctor may recommend echocardiography

• Prolactin levels are monitored by blood test during treatment

• The size of the prolactinoma is monitored with MRI

• Store below 25°C
• Keep away from light
• Keep out of the reach of children

12. Side Effects (Nuksanat)

• Nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness, fatigue
• Drop in BP on standing (postural hypotension — particularly with the first dose)
• Nasal congestion
• Constipation

• Cardiac valvulopathy — fibrous thickening of the heart valves
• Pulmonary / retroperitoneal fibrosis (at high doses)
• Impulse control disorders — pathological gambling, hypersexuality
• Psychiatric effects — psychosis, hallucinations
• Severe postural hypotension

13. Drug Interactions (Dawaon ke sath reaction)

• Antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone etc.) — are dopamine antagonists; reduce cabergoline's prolactin-lowering effect; doctor should discuss an alternative if needed
• Metoclopramide / domperidone — reduce cabergoline's effect (dopamine antagonists)
• Erythromycin — can increase cabergoline blood levels (CYP3A4 inhibition); use with caution
• Antihypertensives — BP can drop further — monitor
• Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine) — avoid combination; vasoconstriction risk

14. When to See Doctor (Kab doctor ke paas jayein)

• Chest pain, shortness of breath
• Fainting or severe dizziness on standing
• Compulsion to gamble, excessive sexual thoughts, or other compulsive behaviours
• Changes in vision or visual field loss
• Severe headache (pituitary apoplexy — emergency)

15. Alternatives (Sasti Dusri Dawaein)

16. Price in Pakistan (Price kitni hai)

(Note: A confident price for Dostinex (Cabergoline) is not available on online Pakistani pharmacies. Confirm with your local pharmacist. It is a relatively expensive medicine.)

17. FAQs (Aksar poochay jane walay sawalat)

Q: Cabergoline (Dostinex) kis kaam aata hai?

A: Doctors prescribe Cabergoline (Dostinex) to treat elevated prolactin hormone (hyperprolactinaemia) and prolactin-secreting pituitary tumours (prolactinoma). It is a dopamine agonist that reduces prolactin — periods normalise in women, galactorrhoea stops, and sexual function improves in men. Never take without a doctor's prescription.

Q: Cabergoline prolactin kam karta hai?

A: Yes, cabergoline acts directly on the pituitary gland and stops prolactin hormone production. It normalises prolactin levels within weeks. An additional benefit is that prolactinoma (tumour) also begins to shrink. Progress is monitored with regular prolactin blood tests.

Q: Cabergoline ke side effects kya hain?

A: Common side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, and a drop in BP on standing — more pronounced with the first doses; taking with food reduces nausea. At higher doses, heart valves can be affected as a serious side effect. If gambling or sexual compulsions develop, inform the doctor immediately.

Q: Cabergoline ki Pakistan mein price kya hai?

A: The price of Dostinex (Cabergoline) in Pakistan varies by pharmacy and pack size. It is a relatively expensive medicine. Confirm the price at your local pharmacy or an online pharmacy.

Q: Cabergoline hamla hone mein madad karta hai?

A: Yes, if the cause of infertility is high prolactin, cabergoline normalises prolactin, regularises periods, and improves ovulation — increasing the chances of pregnancy. However, once pregnancy is confirmed, cabergoline must be stopped on the doctor's guidance. It must always be taken under doctor's supervision.

18. Medical Review (Medical jaiza)

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

19. Disclaimer (Zaroori tanbeeh)

The information on this page is for awareness only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. PakVita is not responsible for any harm.