4.1. Therapeutic indications

Inhibition/suppression of physiological lactation

Cabergoline is indicated for the inhibition of physiological lactation soon after delivery and for suppression of already established lactation:

1. After parturition, when the mother elects not to breast feed the infant or when breast feeding is contraindicated due to medical reasons related to the mother or the new-born.

2. After stillbirth or abortion.

Cabergoline prevents/suppresses physiological lactation by inhibiting prolactin secretion.

In controlled clinical trials, cabergoline given as a single 1 mg administration during the first day post-partum, was effective in inhibiting milk secretion, as well as breast engorgement and pain in 70 - 90% of the women. Less than 5% of women experienced rebound breast symptomatology during the third post-partum week (which was usually mild in severity).

Suppression of milk secretion and relief of breast engorgement and pain are obtained in approximately 85% of nursing women treated with a total dose of 1 mg cabergoline given in four divided doses over two days. Rebound breast symptomatology after day 10 is uncommon (approximately 2% of cases).

Treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders

Cabergoline is indicated for the treatment of dysfunctions associated with hyperprolactinaemia, including amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, anovulation and galactorrhoea. Cabergoline is indicated in patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (micro- and macroprolactinomas), idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, or empty sella syndrome with associated hyperprolactinaemia, which represent the basic underlying pathologies contributing to the above clinical manifestations.

On chronic therapy, cabergoline at doses ranging between 1 and 2 mg per week, was effective in normalising serum prolactin levels in approximately 84% of hyperprolactinaemic patients. Regular cycles were resumed in 83% of previously amennorhoeic women. Restoration of ovulation was documented in 89% of women with progesterone levels monitored during the luteal phase. Galactorrhoea disappeared in 90% of cases showing this symptom before therapy. Reduction in tumour size was obtained in 50 - 90% of female and male patients with micro- or macroprolactinoma.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Cabergoline is to be administered by the oral route. Since in clinical studies cabergoline has been mainly administered with food and since the tolerability of this class of compounds is improved with food, it is recommended that cabergoline be preferably taken with meals for all the therapeutic indications.

Inhibition/suppression of physiological lactation

For inhibition of lactation cabergoline should be administered during the first day post-partum. The recommended therapeutic dose is 1 mg (two 0.5 mg tablets) given as a single dose.

For suppression of established lactation the recommended therapeutic dosage regimen is 0.25 mg (one-half 0.5 mg tablet) every 12 hours for two days (1 mg total dose). This dosage regimen has been demonstrated to be better tolerated than the single dose regimen in women electing to suppress lactation having a lower incidence of adverse events, in particular of hypotensive symptoms.

Treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders

The recommended initial dosage of cabergoline is 0.5 mg per week given in one or two (one-half of one 0.5 mg tablet) doses (e.g. on Monday and Thursday) per week. The weekly dose should be increased gradually, preferably by adding 0.5 mg per week at monthly intervals until an optimal therapeutic response is achieved. The therapeutic dosage is usually 1 mg per week and ranges from 0.25 mg to 2 mg per week. Doses of cabergoline up to 4.5 mg per week have been used in hyperprolactinaemic patients.

The maximum dose should not exceed 3mg per day.

The weekly dose may be given as a single administration or divided into two or more doses per week according to patient tolerability. Division of the weekly dose into multiple administrations is advised when doses higher than 1 mg per week are to be given since the tolerability of doses greater than 1 mg taken as a single weekly dose has been evaluated only in a few patients.

Patients should be evaluated during dose escalation to determine the lowest dosage that produces the therapeutic response. Monitoring of serum prolactin levels at monthly intervals is advised since, once the effective therapeutic dosage regimen has been reached, serum prolactin normalisation is usually observed within two to four weeks.

After cabergoline withdrawal, recurrence of hyperprolactinaemia is usually observed. However, persistent suppression of prolactin levels has been observed for several months in some patients. Of the group of women followed up, 23/29 had ovulatory cycles which continued for greater than 6 months after cabergoline discontinuation.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of cabergoline has not been established in subjects less than 16 years of age.

Use in the elderly

As a consequence of the indications for which cabergoline is presently proposed, the experience in elderly is very limited. Available data do not indicate a special risk.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to cabergoline, any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or any ergot alkaloid.

History of pulmonary, pericardial and retroperitoneal fibrotic disorders.

Cabergoline is contraindicated in patients with hepatic insufficiency and with toxaemia of pregnancy. Cabergoline should not be co-administered with anti-psychotic medications or administered to women with a history of puerperal psychosis.

For long-term treatment: Evidence of cardiac valvulopathy as determined by pre-treatment echocardiography. (See section 4.4).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

General:

The safety and efficacy of cabergoline have not yet been established in patients with renal and hepatic disease. As with other ergot derivatives, cabergoline should be given with caution to patients with severe cardiovascular disease, Raynaud's syndrome, renal insufficiency, peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, or with a history of serious, particularly psychotic, mental disorders. Particular care should be taken when patients are taking concomitant psychoactive medication.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Symptomatic hypotension can occur with cabergoline administration for any indication. Care should be exercised when administering cabergoline concomitantly with other drugs known to lower blood pressure.

The effects of alcohol on overall tolerability of cabergoline are currently unknown.

Before cabergoline administration, pregnancy should be excluded and after treatment pregnancy should be prevented for at least one month.

Hepatic Insufficiency:

Lower doses should be considered in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency who receive prolonged treatment with cabergoline. Compared to normal volunteers and those with lesser degrees of hepatic insufficiency, an increase in AUC has been seen in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh Class C) who received a single 1 mg dose.

Postural Hypotension:

Postural hypotension can occur following administration of cabergoline. Care should be exercised when administering cabergoline concomitantly with other drugs known to lower blood pressure.

Somnolence/Sudden Sleep Onset:

Cabergoline has been associated with somnolence. Dopamine agonists can be associated with sudden sleep onset episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease. Sudden onset of sleep during daily activities, in some cases without awareness or warning signs, has been reported uncommonly. Patients must be informed of this and advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machines during treatment with cabergoline. Patients who have experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. Furthermore a reduction in dosage or termination of therapy may be considered. (See section 4.7)

Impulse control disorders:

Patients should be regularly monitored for the development of impulse control disorders. Patients and carers should be made aware that behavioural symptoms of impulse control disorders including pathological gambling, increased libido, hypersexuality, compulsive spending or buying, binge eating and compulsive eating can occur in patients treated with dopamine agonists including Dostinex. Dose reduction/tapered discontinuation should be considered if such symptoms develop.

Inhibition/suppression of physiological lactation:

As with other ergot derivatives, cabergoline should not be used in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, for example, post-partum hypertension, unless the potential benefit is judged to outweigh the possible risk, except for toxaemia of pregnancy (see section 4.3).

Serious adverse events including hypertension, myocardial infarction, seizures, stroke or psychiatric disorders have been reported in postpartum women treated with cabergoline for inhibition of lactation. In some patients the development of seizures or stroke was preceded by severe headache and/or transient visual disturbances. Blood pressure should be carefully monitored after the treatment. If hypertension, suggestive chest pain, severe, progressive, or unremitting headache (with or without visual disturbances), or evidence of central nervous system toxicity develop, cabergoline should be discontinued and the patient should be evaluated promptly.

In post-partum studies with cabergoline, blood pressure decreases were mostly asymptomatic and were frequently observed on a single occasion 2 to 4 days after treatment. Since decreases in blood pressure are frequently noted during the puerperium, independently of drug therapy, it is likely that many of the observed decreases in blood pressure after cabergoline administration were not drug-induced. However, periodic monitoring of blood pressure, particularly during the first few days after cabergoline administration, is advised.

A single dose of 0.25 mg of cabergoline should not be exceeded in nursing women treated for suppression of established lactation to avoid potential postural hypotension (see section 4.2). A clinical study exploring the efficacy and tolerability of 0.5 mg of cabergoline given as a single dose for suppression of lactation has shown that the risk of side effects is approximately doubled in this indication if the drug is administered as a single dose of 0.5 mg.

Treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders:

Because hyperprolactinaemia accompanied with amenorrhoea/galactorrhoea and infertility may be associated with pituitary tumour, a complete evaluation of the pituitary is indicated before treatment with cabergoline is initiated.

Cabergoline restores ovulation and fertility in women with hyperprolactinaemic hypogonadism.

Because pregnancy might occur prior to reinitiation of menses, a pregnancy test is recommended at least every four weeks during the amenorrhoeic period and, once menses are reinitiated, every time a menstrual period is delayed by more than three days. Women who wish to avoid pregnancy should be advised to use mechanical contraception during treatment with cabergoline and after discontinuation of cabergoline until recurrence of anovulation. As a precautionary measure, women who become pregnant should be monitored to detect signs of pituitary enlargement since expansion of pre-existing pituitary tumours may occur during gestation.

Before administration of cabergoline, pregnancy should be excluded. Because clinical experience is still limited and the product has a long half-life, as a precautionary measure it is recommended that once regular ovulatory cycles have been achieved women seeking pregnancy discontinue cabergoline one month before intended conception. Should pregnancy occur during treatment, cabergoline is to be discontinued. As a precautionary measure, women who become pregnant should be monitored to detect signs of pituitary enlargement since expansion of pre-existing pituitary tumours may occur during gestation.

Regular gynaecological assessment, including cervical and endometrial cytology, is recommended for patients taking cabergoline for extensive periods.

Fibrosis and cardiac valvulopathy and possibly related clinical phenomena:

Fibrotic and serosal inflammatory disorders such as pleuritis, pleural effusion, pleural fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac valvulopathy involving one or more valves (aortic, mitral and tricuspid) or retroperitoneal fibrosis have occurred after prolonged usage of ergot derivatives with agonist activity at the serotonin 5HT2B receptor, such as cabergoline. In some cases, symptoms or manifestations of cardiac valvulopathy improved after discontinuation of cabergoline.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been found to be abnormally increased in association with pleural effusion/fibrosis. Chest x-ray examination is recommended in cases of unexplained ESR increases to abnormal values.

Valvulopathy has been associated with cumulative doses, therefore, patients should be treated with the lowest effective dose. At each visit, the risk benefit profile of cabergoline treatment for the patient should be reassessed to determine the suitability of continued treatment with cabergoline.

Before initiating long-term treatment:

All patients must undergo a cardiovascular evaluation, including echocardiogram to assess the potential presence of asymptomatic valvular disease. It is also appropriate to perform baseline investigations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate or other inflammatory markers, lung function/chest X-ray and renal function prior to initiation of therapy. In patients with valvular regurgitation, it is not known whether cabergoline treatment might worsen the underlying disease. If fibrotic valvular disease is detected, the patient should not be treated with cabergoline (see section 4.3).

During long-term treatment:

Fibrotic disorders can have an insidious onset and patients should be regularly monitored for possible manifestations of progressive fibrosis. Therefore, during treatment, attention should be paid to the signs and symptoms of:

• Pleuro-pulmonary disease such as dyspnoea, shortness of breath, persistent cough or chest pain.

• Renal insufficiency or ureteral/abdominal vascular obstruction that may occur with pain in the loin/flank and lower limb oedema as well as any possible abdominal masses or tenderness that may indicate retroperitoneal fibrosis.

• Cardiac failure: cases of valvular and pericardial fibrosis have often manifested as cardiac failure. Therefore, valvular fibrosis (and constrictive pericarditis) should be excluded if such symptoms occur.

Clinical diagnostic monitoring for development of fibrotic disorders, as appropriate, is essential. Following treatment initiation, the first echocardiogram must occur within 3-6 months, thereafter, the frequency of echocardiographic monitoring should be determined by appropriate individual clinical assessment with particular emphasis on the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, but must occur at least every 6 to 12 months.

Cabergoline should be discontinued if an echocardiogram reveals new or worsened valvular regurgitation, valvular restriction or valve leaflet thickening (see section 4.3).

The need for other clinical monitoring (e.g. physical examination including, cardiac auscultation, X-ray, CT scan) should be determined on an individual basis.

Additional appropriate investigations such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum creatinine measurements should be performed if necessary to support a diagnosis of a fibrotic disorder.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The concomitant use of other drugs during early puerperium, particularly of ergot alkaloids, was not associated with detectable interactions modifying the efficacy and safety of cabergoline.

No information is available about the interaction between cabergoline and other ergot alkaloids; therefore, the concomitant use of these medications during long-term treatment with cabergoline is not recommended.

Since cabergoline exerts its therapeutic effect by direct stimulation of dopamine receptors, it should not be concurrently administered with drugs which have dopamine-antagonist activity (such as phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes, metoclopramide) since these might reduce the prolactin-lowering effect of cabergoline.

As with other ergot derivatives, cabergoline should not be used with macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin) due to increased systemic bioavailability of cabergoline.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies from the use of cabergoline in pregnant women. Animal studies have not demonstrated teratogenic effects, but reduced fertility and embryo-toxicity were observed in association with pharmacodynamic activity (see section 5.3).

In a twelve year observational study on pregnancy outcomes following cabergoline therapy, information is available on 256 pregnancies. Seventeen of these 256 pregnancies (6.6%) eventuated in major congenital malformations or abortion. Information is available on 23/258 infants who had a total of 27 neonatal abnormalities, both major and minor. Musculoskeletal malformations were the most common neonatal abnormality (10), followed by cardio-pulmonary abnormalities (5). There is no information on perinatal disorders or long-term development of infants exposed to intra-uterine cabergoline. Based on recent published literature, the prevalence of major congenital malformations in the general population has been reported to be 6.9% or greater. Rates of congenital abnormality vary between different populations. It is not possible to accurately determine if there is an increased risk as no control group was included.

Cabergoline should only be used during pregnancy if clearly indicated and after an accurate benefit/risk evaluation. (See section 4.4).

Due to the long half-life of the drug and limited data on in utero exposure, women planning to become pregnant should discontinue cabergoline one month before intended conception. If conception occurs during therapy, treatment should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is confirmed to limit foetal exposure to the drug.

In rats, cabergoline and/or its metabolites are excreted in milk. No information is available on the excretion in breast milk in humans; however, mothers should be advised not to breast-feed in case of failed lactation inhibition/suppression by cabergoline. Since it prevents lactation, cabergoline should not be administered to mothers with hyperprolactinemic disorders who wish to breast-feed their infants.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Patients should be careful when performing actions which require fast and accurate reaction during treatment initiation.

During the first days of cabergoline administration, patients should be cautioned about re-engaging in activities requiring rapid and precise responses such as driving an automobile or operating machinery.

Patients being treated with cabergoline and presenting with somnolence must be informed to refrain from driving or engaging in activities where impaired alertness may put themselves and others at risk of serious injury or death (e.g. operating machines) until such episodes and somnolence have resolved. (See section 4.4).

4.8. Undesirable effects

Adverse events are generally dose-related. In patients known to be intolerant to dopaminergic drugs, the likelihood of adverse events may be lessened by starting therapy with cabergoline at reduced doses, e.g. 0.25 mg once a week, with subsequent gradual increase until the therapeutic dosage is reached. If persistent or severe adverse events occur, temporary reduction of dosage followed by a more gradual increase, e.g. increments of 0.25 mg/week every two weeks, may increase tolerability.

The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with cabergoline with the following frequencies: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to ≤1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to ≤1/1,000); very rare (≤1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

MedDRA

System Organ Class

Frequency

Undesirable Effects

Cardiac disorders

Very Common

Valvulopathy (including regurgitation) and related disorders (pericarditis and pericardial effusion)

Uncommon

Palpitations

Not Known

Angina pectoris

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon

Dyspnea, pleural effusion, fibrosis, (including pulmonary fibrosis), epistaxis

Very rare

Pleural fibrosis

Not Known

Respiratory disorder, respiratory failure, pleuritis, chest pain

Immune system disorders

Uncommon

Hypersensitivity reaction

Nervous system disorders

Very common

Headache*, dizziness/vertigo*

Common

somnolence

Uncommon

Transient hemianopsia, syncope, paresthesia

Not Known

Sudden sleep onset, tremor

Eye disorders

Not Known

Visual impairment

Psychiatric disorders

Common

Depression

Uncommon

Increased libido

Not Known

Aggression, delusions, hypersexuality, pathological gambling, psychotic disorder, hallucinations

Vascular disorders

Common

Cabergoline generally exerts a hypotensive effect in patients on long-term treatment; Postural hypotension, hot flushes**

Uncommon

Digital vasospasm, fainting

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common

Nausea*, dyspepsia, gastritis, abdominal pain*

Common

Constipation, vomiting**

Rare

Epigastric pain

General disorders and administration site conditions

Very Common

Asthenia***, fatigue

Uncommon

Oedema, peripheral oedema

Hepato-biliary disorders

Not Known

Hepatic function abnormal

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon

Rash, alopecia

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Uncommon

Leg cramps

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Common

Breast pain

Investigations

Common

Asymptomatic decreases in blood pressure (≥ 20 mmHg systolic and ≥ 10 mmHg diastolic)

Uncommon

A decrease in haemoglobin values have been observed in amenhorrheic women during the first few months after menses.

Not Known

Blood creatinine phosphokinase increased, liver function tests abnormal

*Very common in patients treated for hyperprolactinaemin disorders; Common in patients treated for inhibition/supression of lactation

** Common in patients treated for hyperprolactinaemin disorders; Uncommon in patients treated for inhibition/supression of lactation

*** Very common in patients treated for hyperprolactinaemin disorders; Uncommon in patients treated for inhibition/supression of lactation

Impulse control disorders

Pathological gambling, increased libido, hypersexuality, compulsive spending or buying, binge eating and compulsive eating can occur in patients treated with dopamine agonists including Dostinex (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms of overdose would likely be those of over-stimulation of dopamine receptors e.g. nausea, vomiting, gastric complaints, postural hypotension, confusion/psychosis or hallucinations.

Supportive measures should be taken to remove any unabsorbed drug and maintain blood pressure, if necessary. In addition, the administration of dopamine antagonist drugs may be advisable.