Dostinex Dosages (cabergoline)

[Pushtoday]

[h=1]Dostinex Dosage[/h]The recommended dosage of DOSTINEX Tablets for initiation of therapy is 0.25 mg twice a week. Dosage may be increased by 0.25 mg twice weekly up to a dosage of 1 mg twice a week according to the patient's serum prolactin level. Before initiating treatment, cardiovascular evaluation should be performed and echocardiography should be considered to assess for valvular disease.
Dosage increases should not occur more rapidly than every 4 weeks, so that the physician can assess the patient's response to each dosage level. If the patient does not respond adequately, and no additional benefit is observed with higher doses, the lowest dose that achieved maximal response should be used and other therapeutic approaches considered. Patients receiving long term treatment with DOSTINEX should undergo periodic assessment of their cardiac status and echocardiography should be considered.
After a normal serum prolactin level has been maintained for 6 months, DOSTINEX may be discontinued, with periodic monitoring of the serum prolactin level to determine whether or when treatment with DOSTINEX should be reinstituted. The durability of efficacy beyond 24 months of therapy with DOSTINEX has not been established.

[h=2]Dostinex is used for:[/h]
Treating disorders associated with high levels of the hormone prolactin, either due to tumors in the pituitary gland or to unknown causes. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Dostinex is a dopamine receptor agonist. It works by blocking prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland.
[h=2]Do NOT use Dostinex if:[/h]

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Dostinex or to ergot derivatives (eg, ergotamine)
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• you have a history of heart valve problems or certain fibrotic (scarring) disorders (eg, of the lung, heart, kidneys)
• you are taking a butyrophenone (eg, haloperidol), metoclopramide, a phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), or a thioxanthene (eg, thiothixene)
• you have taken or will be taking a "triptan" (eg, sumatriptan) within 24 hours before or after taking Dostinex

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.


[h=2]Before using Dostinex:[/h]Some medical conditions may interact with Dostinex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems or high blood pressure
• if you have developed high blood pressure caused by pregnancy
• if you take any medicine that may lower blood pressure or cause heart valve problems. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may lower blood pressure or cause heart valve problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Dostinex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Macrolides (eg, clarithromycin) because they may increase the risk of Dostinex's side effects
• Butyrophenones (eg, haloperidol), metoclopramide, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or thioxanthenes (eg, thiothixene) because they may decrease Dostinex's effectiveness
• "Triptans" (eg, sumatriptan) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Dostinex

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Dostinex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


[h=2]How to use Dostinex:[/h]Use Dostinex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Dostinex by mouth with or without food.
• It may be helpful to mark on a calendar which days you are supposed to take Dostinex.
• If you miss a dose of Dostinex, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Dostinex.
[h=2]Important safety information:[/h]

• Dostinex may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Dostinex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Dostinex may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Some patients taking Dostinex have developed certain behavioral changes (eg, increased gambling or sexual urges). These effects usually go away when treatment with Dostinex is stopped. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual behavioral changes.
• If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor so that a pregnancy test can be arranged.
• Lab tests, including chest x-rays, blood prolactin levels, and heart and kidney function, may be performed while you use Dostinex. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Dostinex should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Dostinex while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Dostinex.