Dostinex 0.5mg is a medication that inhibits the secretion of prolactin, thereby helping to alleviate symptoms caused by excess prolactin. Learn about its uses, dosage, and precautions in the article below.
1. Uses of Dostinex 0.5mg
Dostinex contains the active ingredient Cabergoline 0.5mg. Dostinex 0.5mg tablets are made in the USA. Cabergoline is a dopaminergic ergoline derivative with strong and long-lasting prolactin-lowering activity. It works by directly stimulating D2 dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland, causing inhibition of prolactin secretion. When using the medication, symptoms of prolactin overproduction are reduced or eliminated.
Dostinex 0.5mg is prescribed for the following cases:
- Inhibit physiological lactation immediately after childbirth.
- Treat disorders caused by hyperprolactinemia and symptoms of benign pituitary tumors.
2. Usage and dosage of Dostinex 0.5mg
Usage: The medication is taken orally and should be taken with meals for the best results.
Dosage: Patients should use the medication as prescribed by their doctor, or you can refer to the recommended dosage as follows:
Adults:
- Inhibit physiological lactation: Take 2 tablets once, on the first day after childbirth. Alternatively, use a therapeutic dose of ½ tablet every 12 hours for 2 days.
- Treat hyperprolactinemia: The initial dose is 0.5 mg per week, taken as a single dose or divided into two doses of 0.25 mg each week. Increase by 0.5 mg per week at monthly intervals until an optimal therapeutic response is achieved. Be sure not to increase the dose without your doctor's instructions. The maximum dose should not exceed 3 mg per day.
Children under 16 years old: The safety and efficacy of the medication for this group have not been studied.
Elderly: Not recommended, as the experience with this medication in this group is very limited.
Missed dose, overdose:
- Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
- Overdose: Symptoms of an overdose may include excessive stimulation of dopamine receptors such as nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, orthostatic hypotension, cognitive disturbances, or hallucinations. If you overdose or experience unusual symptoms due to an overdose, notify your doctor immediately or visit the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.
3. Contraindications of Dostinex 0.5mg
Do not use Dostinex in the following cases:
- Patients who are sensitive to any component of the medication.
- Patients with history of pulmonary fibrosis, pericardial fibrosis, and retroperitoneal fibrosis.
- Patients with liver failure and toxemia of pregnancy.
- Patients with valvular heart fibrosis.
4. Side effects of Dostinex 0.5 mg
Like other medications, during the use of Dostinex, you may experience the following undesirable side effects:
- Very common side effects: Valvular heart disease, disorders related to pericarditis, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, body weakness, fatigue.
- Less common side effects: palpitations, dyspnea, pleural effusion, epistaxis, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash or anaphylaxis, transient arrhythmias, increased libido, syncope, edema, peripheral edema, cramps; hypotension may occur and can affect any individual.
- Rare side effects: pleural fibrosis. If you experience any adverse effects while using the medication, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately to receive timely treatment.
5. Precaution when using Dostinex 0.5mg
To ensure safety, before using the medication, you should inform your doctor about all medications, supplements you are currently taking, your medical history, and any allergies you may have. This will help in receiving appropriate advice and avoiding potential interactions.
- Pregnant women: Due to the lack of studies and controlled data on the use of this medication in pregnant women, its safety for the fetus is not guaranteed. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
- Lactating women: There have been no reports of this medication being excreted in breast milk. However, it is recommended that this medication should not be used by lactating women, as it inhibits milk secretion.
- Women planning to conceive: It is advisable to inform your doctor and discontinue the medication one month prior to attempting conception.
- Drivers and machine operators: Use of this medication may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness, which can impair the ability to operate machinery and pose a risk to life. Patients should be warned of this risk before using the medication.
- Drug interactions: Some reported drug interactions are as follows:
- Do not use Dostinex 0.5mg concurrently with medications that have D2 receptor antagonist activity, as they may reduce the prolactin-lowering effect of the drug.
- Do not use this medication with macrolide antibiotics, as it increases the systemic effects of cabergoline.
- Storage: Store the medication below 30°C, away from light, moisture, and out of the reach of children.
The above information regarding Dostinex 0.5mg is for your reference. This medication should be used under the prescription of a doctor, so if you have any further questions, you should consult your doctor directly for effective usage.
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