This medication can cause nausea and dizziness, although most patients report no side effects. The other typical medication is bromocriptine, which is more prone to make you nauseous. With this medication, your doctor will likely have you increase your dose gradually to lessen the side effects. Doctors typically only prescribe this if cabergoline proves ineffective. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source You may need to take these medications indefinitely, though once the tumor has shrunk and your prolactin levels decrease, you may be able to come off the medication. [6] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
The surgery to remove pituitary tumors is an endoscopic surgery, meaning that the surgeon will go in with a camera through your nose to reach the gland and remove the tumor without cutting your skin. [9] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source If you have another type of pituitary gland tumor instead of a prolactinoma, this may be your doctor’s first choice of treatment.
In some cases, radiation may be the only option if you don’t respond to the medication and your tumor can’t be operated on safely. [11] X Research source Sometimes, you may only need one treatment, while other tumors may take more treatments. It depends on the size and type of your tumor. The most common side effect is hypopituitarism, where your pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Very rare side effects can include damage to nearby brain tissue, including lesions or nerve damage. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Antipsychotics (perphenazine, haloperidol, sulpiride, sertindole, risperidone, and more) Anti-emetics (metoclopramide and domperidone) SSRIs (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline) Select cardiovascular drugs (verapamil, reserpine, and methyldopa) Tricyclic antidepressants (verapamil, reserpine, and methyldopa) Opiates (methadone and morphine) Oestrogens (any high-dose oral contraceptive)
Do not go off of a medication without your doctor’s approval. For example, if you take sertraline (Zoloft) for obsessive compulsive disorder, you might ask your doctor about switching to bupropion (Wellbutrin).
This medication can cause side effects like dizziness, nervousness, headaches, stomach issues, weight gain, and pain in your joints. It can also make you feel unsteady on your feet. [16] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
You may not be able to take cabergoline if there is a chance that it interacts with other meds you’re taking.
It’s especially important to talk to your doctor first if you have any kind of kidney condition, which may struggle to filter the vitamin E. Side effects are rare with vitamin E. However, if you overdose, you may experience stomach issues, tiredness, weakness, rash, headaches, blurred vision, increased creatine in the urine, and gonadal (testicles) dysfunction. [19] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Ask your doctor about proper dosing for supplements like zinc. Side effects of zinc can include headaches, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you take more than 40 milligrams per day for a long time, it can cause copper deficiency. Also, avoid taking the intranasal variety (through your nose), as it can cause you to lose your sense of smell. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you don’t like taking pills, you can buy vitex extract and add 40 drops to a cup of water every day. It’s generally not recommended to take vitex if you’re also on a dopamine agonist (like cabergoline). [24] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
This is an especially common problem for people with sleep apnea. If you wake up randomly, wake up with headaches, or snore, ask your doctor for a sleep study referral.
A single drink counts as a single 12 fl oz (350 mL) beer, a 5 fl oz (150 mL) glass of wine, or a shot (1. 5 fl oz (44 mL)) of alcohol.
Symptoms of high prolactin levels include: infertility, low sex drive, and breast engorgement. Men will also experience erection problems, while women will have irregular or no periods. For non-pregnant women, normal levels are between 5 and 40 ng/dL (106 to 850 mIU/L) and between 80 and 400 ng/dL (1,700 to 8,500 mIU/L) if you’re pregnant. For men, normal is less than 20 ng/dL (425 mIU/L). Your doctor may run other tests to rule out other conditions, or ask you to take an MRI to take a closer look at your pituitary gland.
Your prolactin levels will return to normal once you treat the hypothyroidism. In most cases, you’ll take levothyroxine to replace the missing hormones caused by hypothyroidism. [32] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Typically, if your doctor notices high prolactin levels, they will check for this condition, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Usually, your prolactin levels will go back down on their own after a chest injury.
Your doctor won’t report you to the police if you smoke and it’s illegal where you live. It’s always best to tell the truth with your healthcare providers!
In women, symptoms of a prolactinoma typically include changes in menstruation, reduced sex drive, and decreased milk production if you’re breastfeeding. [37] X Research source In men and women who don’t menstruate, you may experience a low libido (due to decreased testosterone). You may also experience breast growth. [38] X Research source If the tumor is especially large, you may experience headaches or trouble with your vision.
