Cabergoline (Dostinex®): a long-acting dopamine agonist medication which suppresses prolactin production and is usually taken only twice per week. It is used to treat prolactinomas (prolactin secreting pituitary adenomas) and other causes of hyperprolactinemia. The medication usually lowers the prolactin level and causes shrinkage of the prolactinoma. It is now the drug of choice for patients with a prolactinoma because it is only taken twice per week and generally has fewer side effects than bromocriptine. It has also been shown to be effective in patients whose prolactinomas are resistant to bromocriptine therapy. The usual starting dose is 0.5 mg twice per week. The dose may be increased up to 1.0 mg twice per week. The major disadvantage of cabergoline is that it is somewhat more expensive than bromocriptine. Learn more.