What is Cabergoline?
Cabergoline stimulates dopamine D2 receptors and thereby lowers prolactin release from the pituitary. It is used for pathologically high prolactin, e.g. due to benign pituitary tumours (prolactinomas). In bodybuilding it is used without a medical indication to lower prolactin under certain steroids (mainly "19-nor" compounds) and sometimes for a supposed boost in libido.
How well studied is Cabergoline?
Well studied and approved for hyperprolactinemia. Use in the steroid context is not based on controlled studies.
What side effects and risks does Cabergoline have?
Heart valve changes (valvulopathy) and fibrosis (pericardium, lungs, pleura, retroperitoneum) are known, serious risks; medically, echocardiography is therefore done before and during treatment. Also impulse-control disorders (gambling, shopping, sexual urges), low blood pressure, nausea and dizziness. It is contraindicated in existing valvular or fibrotic disease and uncontrolled hypertension.
Is Cabergoline approved in Germany?
In short: yes. Approved in the EU/Germany and prescription-only. Not named as an example in common summaries of the WADA Prohibited List – check the current status with the national anti-doping agency before competition use. Taking it without medical monitoring (echocardiography) is dangerous because of the heart valve risks.
Sources
Note: We deliberately do not list any doses here. For approved medicines, your doctor sets the dose; for unapproved substances there is no reliable information.