Cabergoline and Depression: What Users Say

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

For Hyperprolactinemia "I'm a 23-year-old female. I just recently found out about the tumor 4 months ago and was prescribed cabergoline. Before I started this medication, I was good with my life, happy, and stable, but now that I have started this journey, I am depressed again, but this time it’s worse. I can’t control my emotions at all, and when I mean at all, I literally mean at all. I’ve been crying every single day heavily for a whole day. I’ve been treating the ones I love wrong because of my mood swings and how fast I switch up for no reason at all. I’ve been more tired than normal. I get hot flashes and cold sweats left and right. I feel nauseous all the time and bloated, and I honestly just don’t feel like myself anymore. I feel like I’ve lost myself so badly. The only good thing about this medication that I am thankful for is getting my periods back. Other than that, this medication and the journey I’m on with it still are really, really rough, and I’m just tired of all of it."

• Ata...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I took a single dose of 0.25 mg (1/2 of my prescribed weekly dose). I felt very depressed with a lack of motivation the following day in a way that is unusual for me, and I'm considering contacting my doctor to change the medication. Does anyone have a similar experience? Is it possible for the side effects to come so fast?"

• Ata...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "I took a single dose of 0.25 mg (1/2 of my prescribed weekly dose). I felt very depressed with a lack of motivation the following day in a way that is unusual for me, and I'm considering contacting my doctor to change the medication. Does anyone have a similar experience? Is it possible for the side effects to come so fast?"

• Add...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2021

For Hyperprolactinemia "I’ve been taking cabergoline for 2 years on and off again. I say on and off because of the extreme side effects. If I don’t get a proper night's sleep and drink plenty of water, I’m a different person. I’m angry, I’m anxious, I’m sad, tired, and so very tired. I wake up feeling like I’ve spent the last 5 years in a desert with very limited water. I’m not myself, and I can't handle this medicine. I wish there was something else."

• Soi...
• May 13, 2016

For Hyperprolactinemia "My prolactin level was 75, and after less than 5 weeks, my prolactin went down to normal. The side effects were extreme the first 2-3 weeks (burning headaches, nausea, depression). At this point (6 weeks in), I mostly suffer the side effects when I haven't slept enough. I hadn't had my period since December 2015 and got my first real period a week ago. I'm not sure if my 4mm benign tumor has shrunk yet, but at least I know that the medicine is working. When taking this drug, I've found that it is really important to sleep well, eat healthy, and exercise frequently to eliminate side effects. I'd absolutely recommend it!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was on Bromocriptine for two years. The side effects were depression, weight gain, extreme nausea, and extreme constipation. I've now been transferred to Dostinex and spent the last year without the side effects, and it's been life-changing! I'm so thankful for this opportunity to feel normal again!"

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was prescribed this medication before and now again due to recurrent high prolactin (twice the normal). Before this, I was feeling a bit depressed, but it was manageable. You can recover right away. But this time, I'm taking it with Visanne due to endometriosis at the same time, and the side effect is so magnified. I feel so depressed, all emotions are overwhelming. I'm still on 1/2 tab 2x per week, and I've been taking it for more than a month now, and I can't sleep. I feel tired always, I can't find happiness and am severing my relationship with others due to uncontrolled emotions. I feel like I'm going crazy. I asked the nurse regarding my feelings, and she told me to just bear a little because it is really the side effect and not me."

• 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."

• Bri...
• September 11, 2018

"This medicine did help shrink my pituitary tumor but did more harm than good. I had almost all symptoms. And would love for this medicine to be taken off the market. Being on this medicine, I lost all my friends, got in arguments with my mother, and couldn’t stay in any relationships. I’m usually an outgoing, happy person, but this medicine put me in deep depression, and I felt like I had multiple personalities, never knowing who I was going to be that day. I started this medicine in 2014 when I was 13 years old. It messed with my emotions, I had extreme weight gain immediately, severe stomach cramps, depression, increased anxiety, random panic attacks, and sensitivity. My doctor took me off the medicine because of how much it was affecting me, and on December 26, 2018, I had my tumor removed. I feel so much better and happier. The medicine was worse than having the tumor alone. Cabergoline did not completely shrink my tumor or completely lower my prolactin levels."

• nkl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2016

For Hyperprolactinemia "It has reduced my prolactin levels effectively, and it increases testosterone to some extent. The side effects are loss of motivation and finding mental exertion more tiring, which can be a real problem at work. The side effects seem to be dose dependent, so I break the pills into quarters or eighths and take them more often to eliminate the peaks after dosing. I've also been able to reduce the dose while still keeping the prolactin levels in the middle of the normal range, which has also helped with side effects."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2021

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was prescribed Dostinex 0.5 mg once per week to reduce prolactin levels that were elevated after coming off TRT for 5 years. I did question this since my prolactin count was coming down by itself with follow-up blood work. I took this medication twice and won’t take it again. The reason being is that it made me feel completely uninterested in life and very depressed. I had no interest in my girlfriend, no sexual desire, and my personality change was too much of a swing to the downside. After about 3-4 days, I quite quickly began to feel more normal again."

• Nde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2022

For Hyperprolactinemia "Am 30 years of age, having a high prolactin level of 39. I used bromocriptine for a month, recently, I carried out a test and it was reduced to 18. Now switched to cabergoline 0.25 mg twice a week due to the scarcity of bromocriptine and also have PCOS. I am trying to conceive for a year now, but I just started the medication. I have this constant anger, depression, and mood swings always, just so annoyed at any slight confrontation. But I am still hoping I get pregnant soon. I really want to conceive."

• Esy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

For Hyperprolactinemia "I have been diagnosed with a microprolactinoma (4x9 mm) about a month ago. My prolactin levels were around 150 ng/ml. I started using cabergoline 0.25 mg twice a week. At the end of only one month, my prolactin levels dropped from 150 to 3 ng/ml. I have been told to use it for about 2 years to eventually shrink the tumor. The side effects were (especially in the first 2 weeks) nausea, extreme fatigue, and depression. I started on Zoloft for the depression, and it worked pretty well."

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 30, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "Male 43-year-old. Been on cabergoline for 10 years. Diagnosed with prolactinoma on the pituitary. Lots of side effects that got progressively worse. Depression, anger, loss of motivation, dizziness, horrible insomnia, occasional intestinal distress."

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 30, 2018

For Hyperprolactinemia "Male 43-year-old. Been on cabergoline for 10 years. Diagnosed with prolactinoma on the pituitary. Lots of side effects that got progressively worse. Depression, anger, loss of motivation, dizziness, horrible insomnia, occasional intestinal distress."

• The...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 8, 2018

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I am 30 years old and taking Dostinex for the last 13 years since I was diagnosed with a macroadenoma. The first years, I was taking 1 mg weekly, and the last years only the half dose - 0.5 mg per week. What is really negative about Dostinex is its high price. I would like to inform users that I buy it from Bulgaria, where the price is 4 times cheaper than in Cyprus (17 EUR per 8 tablets). In regards to the side effects, I used to have depression and changes in mood, but I think it is impossible to know if it comes from Dostinex or not. I wouldn't say there are strong negative side effects on me. I can easily concentrate and memorize. I have heard Dostinex is known to stimulate concentration and develop motor skills. I don't encourage anybody to take it without reason, but I believe besides negative, there are positive side effects as well."

• 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."

• emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2022

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "I used it for almost a year for the treatment of prolactinoma. After six months, I did an MRI, and the tumor is smaller, but the effects are terrible: fatigue, sick stomach, foggy mind, depression. I do not know what to say. I am very tired, I do not know how it will go like this. Next month, I have an appointment with my endo, and I will say that I can't use it anymore."

• Dri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 8, 2019

For Hyperprolactinemia "I was diagnosed with prolactinoma in '01 after lactating 1.5 years with increased breast size. It all started after 3 months of Prozac in '98. Nurse wouldn't believe it until I could demonstrate by shooting milk across the room. Put on Bromo for 3 months but it was intolerable, then Dostinex 0.5 mg twice/week ever since. Prolactin levels have stayed below 15. Endo recently explained organ fibrosis/heart issues with the medication, that it's usually only used for 5 years max, plus once you hit menopause it is not needed. I stopped 3 weeks ago. Breast size decreased 3 inches within a week - dream come true! They had increased 5 cup sizes in the past 10 years. Then last week they suddenly got big again, plus milky discharge. My bad side effects - depression, rage, fatigue, weakness, worst is huge boobs which the medication originally controlled for many years. I felt human again for 3 weeks. Also have MS which cabergoline worsens. This temporary, drastic decrease in breast size while off the medication has me baffled. Will ask for brand Dostinex (was switched to generic years ago)."

• Jul...
• June 23, 2017

For Hyperprolactinemia "28-year-old female. I was first diagnosed with a 13mm prolactinoma, which was later figured out to be a non-functioning pituitary tumor. Turns out, after seeing an expert surgeon, it is a Rathke's Cleft Cyst on the pituitary stalk. After no results of improved hormone levels with 4 months of Bromocriptine, I started Cabergoline .5 mg, 2 times a week. Symptoms such as extreme dizziness and lightheadedness occurred, but after nearly 6 months on the medication, it's not as bad. Mood changes and depression began after a couple of months, and I hope to have my dosage decreased next week. All of my hormone levels were normal within 2-3 months, but I'm not sure I can deal with mood swings and depression. RCCs don't normally shrink with medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2020

"I've been on this cabergoline for 4 days, and have never felt worse in my life. My depression is through the roof, I have no energy or motivation throughout the day. All I want to do is sleep, and when I'm awake, everything is a fog. I'm like a totally different person, and everyone around me can see it. Thank God I only need to take it 10 days, but I would rather just stop it now."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2020

"I've been on this cabergoline for 4 days, and have never felt worse in my life. My depression is through the roof, I have no energy or motivation throughout the day. All I want to do is sleep, and when I'm awake, everything is a fog. I'm like a totally different person, and everyone around me can see it. Thank God I only need to take it 10 days, but I would rather just stop it now."

• 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."

• Ang...
• May 9, 2016

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "Avoid this drug at all costs! I took it to bring down my prolactin levels, which it did, but I had some extreme side effects. Severe depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, just to name a few."

• Ang...
• May 9, 2016

Cabergoline for Hyperprolactinemia "Avoid this drug at all costs! I took it to bring down my prolactin levels, which it did, but I had some extreme side effects. Severe depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, just to name a few."