Argolin is used to stop breast milk production (lactation) soon after childbirth, stillbirth, abortion or miscarriage. It can also be used if do not want to continue to breastfeed. Argolin can also be used to treat other conditions caused by hormonal disturbance which can result in high levels of prolactin being produced.
Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor agonist. The secretion of prolactin by the anterior pituitary is mainly under hypothalamic inhibitory control, likely exerted through release of dopamine by tuberoinfundibular neurons. Cabergoline is a long acting dopamine receptor agonist with a high affinity for D2 receptors. Results of in vitro studies demonstrate that Cabergoline exerts a direct inhibitory effect on the secretion of prolactin by rat pituitary lactotrophs. Cabergoline decreased serum prolactin levels in reserpinized rats. Receptor binding studies indicate that Cabergoline has low affinity for dopamine D1, α1 and α2 adrenergic and 5HT1, 5HT2 serotonin receptors.
The recommended dosage of Cabergoline 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. 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. After a normal serum prolactin level has been maintained for 6 months, Cabergoline may be discontinued, with periodic monitoring of the serum prolactin level to determine whether or when treatment with Cabergoline should be reinstituted. To prevent milk production (lactation) : 1 mg Cabergoline tablet on the first day after delivery. To stop lactation once have started to breastfeed : 0.25 mg Cabergoline tablet every 12 hours for two days. To reduce prolactin levels in other conditions : Initially take one Cabergoline 0.5 mg tablet (to be taken in two doses) spread out over a week (e.g., half a tablet on Monday and the other half of the tablet on Thursday). Dose will be increased up to a maximum dose of 4.5 mg or until have responded fully to treatment.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
Pregnant or planning to get pregnant, women must discuss with doctor before treatment though Argolin is pregnancy category B. Pregnant for at least one month, one should stop taking Argolin, as Argolin will stop producing milk. If someone plan to breastfeed should not take Argolin.
History of serious mental disease, particularly psychotic disorders Liver or kidney disease High blood pressure in pregnancy associated with swelling and protein in the urine (toxaemia of pregnancy) Antipsychotic or have a history of mental illness associated with child-birth (puerperal psychosis).
Medicines to lower blood pressure Medicines used to treat mental illness (e.g. antipsychotic medicines like chlorpromazine, haloperidol) Medicines for nausea and vomiting (e.g. domperidone, Medicines for severe migraine headaches (e.g. pergolide, metoclopramide, bromocriptine, lisuride, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergometrine or methysergide)
Hypersensitive (allergic) to Argolin, to other medicines called ergot alkaloids, (e.g. pergolide, bromocriptine, lisuride, ergotamine or ergometrine) or to any of the other ingredients in the tablet Severe liver disease High blood pressure in pregnancy associated with swelling and protein in the urine (toxaemia of pregnancy) Anti-psychotics or have a history of mental illness associated with child-birth (puerperal psychosis) Pregnant or breastfeeding Treated with Argolin for a long period and have or had fibrotic reactions (scar tissue) affecting your heart Dopamine agonists in general should not be used in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension, for example, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, unless the potential benefit is judged to outweigh the possible risk. Initial doses higher than 1.0 mg may produce orthostatic hypotension. Care should be exercised when administering Argolin with other medications known to lower blood pressure. Argolin is not indicated for the inhibition or suppression of physiologic lactation. Use of bromocriptine, another dopamine agonist for this purpose, has been associated with cases of hypertension, stroke, and seizures. Since Argolin is extensively metabolized by the liver, caution should be used when administering Argolin to patients with hepatic impairment. Following diagnosis of pleural effusion or pulmonary fibrosis or valvulopathy, the discontinuance of Argolin has been reported to result in improvement of signs and symptoms.