Is cabergoline safe to breastfeed? Experts give authoritative answers!

Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor agonist commonly used to treat diseases such as hyperprolactinemia (HPRL). In recent years, cabergoline has also been widely used in lactation therapy, which is to help women who do not intend to continue breastfeeding after giving birth to suppress milk secretion. The purpose of lactation therapy is to reduce breast milk production through pharmacological intervention and avoid breast congestion and discomfort. Cabergoline inhibits lactation by inhibiting the release of prolactin, a hormone that promotes milk secretion from the mammary gland. Therefore, cabergoline has become a common choice in the treatment of lactation.

From a clinical application point of view, cabergoline has a significant effect in restoring milk production, and compared with traditional milk production drugs, such as bromocriptine (Bromocriptine), cabergoline has fewer side effects. Because cabergoline's mechanism of action is to inhibit prolactin secretion by enhancing dopamine activity, it has been clinically proven to be effective in reducing milk secretion in the short term.

However, the safety of cabergoline when used to treat lactation still requires concern. Although most patients tolerate cabergoline, there is some risk of side effects. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and low blood pressure, especially when the drug is first started. These side effects are usually temporary and can be relieved by adjusting the dose. More serious side effects include heart valve problems. Long-term use of cabergoline may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, patients need to regularly monitor their heart health, especially heart valve function, when using cabergoline to restore milk.

For certain high-risk groups, such as women with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, special caution is needed when using cabergoline to restore milk. In these patients, medications may increase cardiovascular burden. The doctor will evaluate whether cabergoline is suitable for use based on the patient's specific situation, or choose other safer methods of milk reinstatement.

Reference materials:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20863-cabergoline-tablets