Dostinex Tablets 0.5MG Pack Of 8

DOSTINEX*

cabergoline 500 microgram
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

  • This leaflet answers some common questions about Dostinex. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Dostinex against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
  • If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
    Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

    You may need to read it again.

    What Dostinex is used for

  • Dostinex may be prescribed by your doctor to reduce your body`s level of a hormone known as prolactin. Dostinex may be needed if your levels of prolactin are abnormally high (hyperprolactinaemia).
  • Abnormally high prolactin may cause menstrual changes in women, and impotence in men.
  • Dostinex can also be prescribed to prevent the production of milk in women after birth, if breast-feeding is to be prevented for medical reasons.
  • Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.

  • Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
  • Dostinex is only available with a doctor`s prescription.

  • Before you start to use it

    When you must not use it

    Do not take Dostinex if you have an allergy to:

  • any medicine containing cabergoline
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • ergot alkaloids (medicines used to treat migraine)
  • Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

    Do not take Dostinex if you have or have had any lung problems associated with the use of dopamine agonists.
    Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant.

    It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.

    Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 16 years.

    There is little experience with the use of Dostinex in children.

    Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

    If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

    If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

    Before you start to take it

    You must tell your doctor if:

  • 1.you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
  • 2.you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. This medicine prevents the flow of breast milk.
  • 3.you have or have had any other health problems especially:
  • kidney, heart and liver problems
  • lung disease or problems with your breathing
  • Raynaud`s syndrome (associated with extreme numbness, tingling and colour changes in the fingers due to cold)
  • ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
  • high blood pressure after childbirth
  • history of severe mental illness
  • If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start to take Dostinex.

    Taking other medicines

    Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    Some medicines and Dostinex may interfere with each other. These include:

  • medicines used to treat mental illness
  • medicines used to treat high blood pressure
  • medicines used to treat migraine
  • medicines used to prevent nausea and vomiting
  • medicines called macrolide antibiotics which are used to treat bacterial infections (eg. erythromycin)
  • These medicines may be affected by Dostinex or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Dostinex.

    How to take Dostinex

    Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to take your medicines.

    Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

    The directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist on how to take Dostinex may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. You may be given a different dosage depending on your condition or how you react to the medicine.

    If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

    How much to take

    To treat hyperprolactinaemia, the recommended starting dose is half a tablet taken twice a week. Your doctor will generally start you on a low dose and may gradually increase your dose.

    To prevent the production of milk, the recommended dose is two tablets taken once, on the first day after delivery.

    Follow your doctor`s instructions carefully about how much Dostinex to take and when to take it.

    How to take it

    Dostinex should be swallowed, preferably with food.

    How long to take it

    Continue taking Dostinex until your doctor tells you to stop.

    If you forget to take it

    If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
    Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine as you normally would.
    Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

    This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

    If you are not sure what to do, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
    If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

    If you take too much (overdose)

    Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (ph: 131 126) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Dostinex. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

    You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these services handy. Have the medicine or this leaflet available to give details if needed.

    The symptoms of taking too much Dostinex may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and dizziness.

    While you are using Dostinex

    Things you must do

    If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Dostinex.
    Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
    Follow your doctor`s instructions carefully, and have regular check-ups while taking Dostinex.

    Regular blood tests may be required or chest x-rays if you show signs of breathing problems.

    Use mechanical methods of contraception, such as condoms to prevent pregnancy during and after at least one month after taking Dostinex.

    Your doctor may recommend routine pregnancy tests during treatment.

    Stop taking Dostinex immediately if you become pregnant and consult your doctor.

    Things you must not do

    Do not use Dostinex to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
    Do not stop taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to, even if you are feeling better.
    Do not give Dostinex to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

    Things to be careful of

    If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
    Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Dostinex affects you.

    Dostinex may cause dizziness or affect your ability to respond quickly.

    If you feel sleepy while taking Dostinex, do not drive or operate machinery.

  • Side effects

    Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking Dostinex, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or they are not listed in this leaflet.

    Like many medicines, Dostinex may cause side effects. If they occur, they are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

    Do not be alarmed by the following list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
    Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea or vomiting
  • unusual sleepiness
  • abdominal pain, or heartburn or pain in the stomach
  • constipation
  • weakness or tiredness
  • breast pain
  • hot flushes
  • depression
  • rash
  • hair loss
  • These are common side effects of Dostinex. They are usually mild and short lived.

  • Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • irregular heart beat
  • fainting
  • nosebleed
  • leg cramps or pain in the fingers or toes
  • any breathing problems
  • Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

    Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell when you are taking, or soon after you have finished taking Dostinex.

    After using Dostinex

    Storage

    Keep Dostinex in its container until it is time to use it.
    Keep Dostinex in a cool dry place. Dostinex must be stored where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
    Do not store Dostinex, or any medicines, in a bathroom or near the sink. Do not leave Dostinex in the car or on window sills.

    Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

    Keep Dostinex where children cannot reach it.

    A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

    Disposal

    Ask your pharmacist what to do with any Dostinex which is left over, or if the medicine has passed its expiry date.

    Product Description

    What it looks like

    Dostinex comes as capsule-shaped, flat, white tablets. One side is marked with the letter `P` on a side of the score and the letter `U` on the other. The other side of the tablet is marked `700` with a short score on the top and bottom of the tablet surface.

    Dostinex is sold in amber glass bottles of 2 and 8 tablets.

    Ingredients

    Active Ingredients

    The active ingredient is cabergoline 500 microgram.

    Inactive Ingredients

    Each tablet also contains: lactose and leucine.

    Sponsor

    Dostinex tablets are supplied in Australia by:

  • Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
  • ABN 50 008 422 348
  • 38-42 Wharf Road
  • West Ryde NSW 2114
  • Australia
  • Toll Free number: 1800 675 229
  • Australian Registration Number

  • AUST R 52158
  • This leaflet was revised in October 2006.
  • (C) Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd (1998)
  • * Registered Trademark
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