Cabergoline (Dostinex) PCT 101: The Bodybuilder's Guide

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Cabergoline, or just Caber, is a name you might have heard a lot of guys talking about, but do you really know what it is and whether you need to use it?

With two of the most popular AAS being those that can cause high prolactin – Trenbolone and Deca-Durabolin – most steroid users will at some point be faced with the dreaded side effects of high prolactin. And believe me, when it happens, you’ll want to be well-prepared to deal with it. Don’t make the mistake that newbies make – thinking you’re just dealing with estrogenic side effects when the cause is prolactin.

It’s not just gyno that Caber is suitable for, though! Actually, issues related to sexual health are the number 1 reason a lot of us will give Cabergoline a try, and you’ll find guys singing its praises for what it can do for sexual performance. So, is Cabergoline a good choice for you, though? What are the risks? Are there any better alternatives? Find out all this and more in my guide below; let’s get into it!

What is Cabergoline?

Cabergoline is a dopamine-related drug – we can call it a dopamine agonist.

So why would a bodybuilder or AAS user want to take a dopamine agonist? Two main reasons: To address gynecomastia and the low sex drive and erection problems caused by increased prolactin. Typically, this is when we’re using either Trenbolone or Deca.

But even people who aren’t steroid users will sometimes want to use Cabergoline primarily for its effects on sexual health – men will find they can reduce the refractory period considerably. Although this was never the primary purpose of this drug, it’s one that’s front and center for men who want to use it.

History and Overview

Like many medications, Cabergoline was initially derived from a fungus found in nature. This drug has been around for a long time; in 1980, it was patented, and in the early 1990s, it was approved for medical use. Today, its approved medical uses include conditions like:

High prolactin levels
Prolactinomas
Parkinson’s disease

Caber’s treatment for Parkinson’s disease is focused on its ability to stimulate the nerves that control movement. It also has some off-label medical applications in treating restless leg syndrome and as a supplementary drug for people taking SSRI antidepressant drugs to reduce the libido-crushing effects of those medications.

Mechanism of Action

Caber is an agonist of the D2R (the dopamine receptor D2). Its main action is to inhibit prolactin secretion. This reduces your overall prolactin levels – precisely what we are looking for when using any AAS that brings about increased levels of prolactin and associated gynecomastia.

Cabergoline works simply: It has a high affinity to D2 receptors, which allows it to directly inhibit pituitary gland secretion of prolactin. We can think of Cabergoline as being to prolactin, what aromatase inhibitors are to estrogen: the result is a lowering of circulating levels of the hormone.

Effects of Cabergoline (Benefits) for Men

There are really only two reasons we’ll want to use Cabergoline:

To combat prolactin-related gyno
To fix libido and erection problems

One question I often see is this: Should I use Cabergoline preventively or wait until negative symptoms show up? I steer away from the preventative use of this dopamine agonist. It’s a potent drug firstly, and secondly, once you start taking it to address negative sides, it kicks in fast enough that using it preventively isn’t necessary for most AAS users.

So, is Cabergoline going to make much of a difference for you on a steroid cycle? If you’re using a Nandrolone-based steroid (Trenbolone, Deca, or NPP), then it can make all the difference in the world when progesterone-type side effects start causing problems for you. So even though some of the sides of high prolactin are similar to those of high estrogen, the ancillaries you need are different – a SERM or AI won’t cut it.

Now that you know the WHEN and the WHY of Caber’s benefits, here are the effects it will provide for you.

Sexual Health

Improved libido, erectile function, and decreased refractory period are all primary reasons guys use Cabergoline. Guys who are on advanced steroid stacks of NPP/Deca and Trenbolone will find that Caber makes all the difference in being able to perform sexually while on cycle.

Anti-gyno

Early stages of gyno can be effectively zapped with Cabergoline (where the gyno is caused by high prolactin). Reversal of a hard lump and nipple puffiness can be achieved within a short time. But I have to say this: if your gyno has gone beyond those early signs of sore nipples and puffiness, you’ll probably need to add something like Ralox because Caber isn’t likely to do the trick alone.

Mental Effects

You will find users who swear that Cabergoline provides some dopamine rush and improves mental focus and energy. This effect is yet to be scientifically proven, but many of us do feel an improvement in confidence and mood when on Cabergoline.

What is Prolactin?

Your pituitary gland naturally produces a hormone called prolactin. Prolactin is critical for women who have given birth because it stimulates the production of breast milk. This can give us some idea of how prolactin can cause some unwanted problems in men. But this is not just a female hormone! Normal prolactin levels are essential for guys. You need it for:

Sperm production
Sex drive
Healthy immune system function
Bone homeostasis

Some anabolic steroids can cause an increase in prolactin, and that’s when you start running into trouble. When men experience a spike in prolactin, they can suffer with:

Erectile dysfunction
Low libido
Low sperm production
Gynecomastia

Gyno development, as a result of increased prolactin on your AAS cycle, comes about because of increased estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cells. Sexual dysfunction is the other side effect that can be a huge problem when running AAS like Tren and NPP – and especially when running a stack.

As I’ve mentioned, some AAS are notorious for being high-risk in terms of raising prolactin levels. These are mostly derivatives of Nandrolone:

Deca
NPP
Trenbolone

Yes, some of our most loved AAS! And that brings me back to Cabergoline: this is THE drug that most of us will use to combat high prolactin.

The only real way to know your normal prolactin levels (and how far you are outside the reference range) is to have bloodwork done. It’s not unusual for male AAS users to clock in at 2 or 3 times the normal prolactin reference range, and that’s where you’re going to see those prolactin sides kick in.

Cabergoline for PCT

Caber is used at very low doses because it’s such a powerful medication. You do run the risk of some mild side effects at low doses, mostly related to stomach problems. But for most of us, it’s a tolerable drug when used for gyno and sexual performance reasons (mostly) during Nandrolone AAS cycles.

Doses

Medical doses of Caber for Parkinson’s patients can be very high: 2mg to 20mg per day. These doses have been shown to cause conditions affecting the valves of the heart in some patients, and these are doses that we will NEVER need or want to use.

The golden rule with Cabergoline is to keep your dose as low as possible. Don’t think Caber does nothing at minuscule doses: this is a very powerful drug, and a little goes a long way!

Gyno can either be caused by high estrogen or high prolactin – or both. When you’re using a Nandrolone-based steroid, it’s best to assume your gyno is prolactin-related and take appropriate action with Caber.

The recommended dosage for gynecomastia reversal (in its early stages) and mitigation on cycle is low – and that’s all we will need. 0.25mg twice weekly is what most guys will take. Some users like to take a one-off first dose of 0.5mg in the first week, then drop it to 0.25mg.

Cabergoline Dosage for Sexual Performance

Sexual dysfunction is a big problem for a lot of guys on Trenbolone. The longer your Tren cycle goes on, the more you can struggle with getting and maintaining an erection and maintaining your sexual performance. Cabergoline has been scientifically proven to improve sexual desire^[1] and erectile function in men – so we know it works.

Caber can very quickly reverse Nandrolone-induced sexual performance issues with the right dosage. In fact, I’ll use the same dosage as I do for gyno issues: 0.25mg per week, usually taken twice per week.

Dosing Schedule, Half-life, and PCT Length

Cabergoline’s half-life is about three days, and most users will take it twice per week. While Caber is definitely not a compound you’ll be using as a primary PCT drug, it won’t influence your PCT cycle length if you want to include it in PCT alongside your usual SERMs and possibly HCG.

I’ve heard of some guys adding Cabergoline to PCT when a typical Nolvadex PCT is accompanied by low libido and erection problems – but unless you get your prolactin levels checked and confirm that as the cause, then you’re taking a shot in the dark with attempting to fix it with Cabergoline.

In any case? PCT of 4 to 6 weeks is still recommended with or without Cabergoline.

Proper Administration and Timing

One study showed that taking Caber with food made no difference to its absorption, metabolism, or other functionality. So, the time of day you take Cabergoline is unlikely to influence its effects or side effects. And since Caber is just a twice-weekly tablet (or liquid if you’ve got research chemical grade), as long as you keep to consistent timing between doses, you’ll receive the full beneficial effects of this drug.

Suppose you’re trying research-grade Cabergoline in liquid form. In that case, administration is almost as simple as swallowing a tablet: My method for best absorption is to put the dose under the tongue, hold it there for about 10 seconds, and then swallow. If it tastes awful, mix it with a nice-tasting drink and consume it that way.

Cabergoline vs. Pramipexole

Both Cabergoline and Pramipexole are dopamine agonists and Parkinson’s disease treatments and are also known as useful medical treatments for restless leg syndrome (RLS)^[2]. But neither of these medical conditions is of specific concern to us.

You want to know how Cabergoline compares to Pramipexole for our on-cycle anti-prolactin needs. At their core, these two drugs are both going to lower prolactin levels, and that’s precisely what we need when using Nandrolone-derived AAS.

So why do most users go for Cabergoline as the preferred ancillary? You might have noticed that we rarely hear about Pramipexole.

While Pramipexole can be cheaper to buy, it’s still the less popular of the two with steroid users
Cabergoline is the more potent drug and can address prolactin more effectively than Pramipexole
Many users of Pramipexole will experience nausea-related severe side effects that can affect their performance

Is one better than the other? No, your choice comes down to individual response. Personally, I find that Caber works best for me. But I know guys who much prefer Prami and see a very quick reversal of sexual dysfunction with it compared to Caber and with fewer sides.

Cabergoline Side Effects in Men

Cabergoline is a short-term use drug. You don’t want to use it for long periods, and you don’t need to use it for a long time. It’s for a specific purpose – to address increased prolactin and the associated side effects on-cycle and to support sexual performance.

Cabergoline can have its own side effects, which can happen at low doses. Stomach-related issues are the most common Caber side effects. And while they’re primarily harmless, they can seriously interrupt your diet and training.

Some Caber users experience nausea, constipation, and cramps. When this happened to me, I lowered my dose slightly and made an effort to take each dose with food, which has helped.

Other side effects reported in some medical studies include:

Insomnia
Vertigo
Depression
Low blood pressure

While I won’t say we can never experience these sides (individual responses will always vary), they are rarely reported by AAS users on Caber.

When Caber is used to treat Parkinson’s and restless leg syndrome, higher doses are often used, and studies have shown a higher incidence of concerning side effects.

If you take your Caber dosage to a higher level (which we really have no need to do), you will come across some more severe health risks involving the heart: Cardiac valvulopathy. Studies involving Parkinson’s patients taking high doses of Caber found that some people would develop cardiac valvulopathy – a serious condition affecting the functioning of the heart valves.

Even at lower medical doses, this heart condition was detected in some medical patients^[3]. However, even lower medical doses are still substantially higher than what we use, and this side effect is highly unlikely to be an issue for our usage of Cabergoline.

Where to Buy Cabergoline?

Buying Cabergoline without a prescription can range from very easy in some countries where there are little to no controls over buying pharma meds online or over-the-counter. But it’s much more difficult in places like the US, where pharmaceutical drugs are more tightly regulated for sale and where black market pharma suppliers can be your only option.

Availability of Cabergoline

The Dostinex brand of Cabergoline tablets is sold in concentrations of 0.5mg per tablet in bottles containing 8, 16, or 24 tablets. Because the patent on this drug expired in the mid-2000s, it’s long been available as a generic medication, so you don’t have to stick with the Dostinex brand.

Generics still need a prescription, though – unless you’re able to find an underground lab or overseas online pharmacy that sells without a prescription. Some users will turn to online pharmacies in countries like Turkey; just be aware of the legal issues if you try to import pharmaceuticals into countries like the US and Australia.

My default alternative is to use research chemical labs. Most peptide and SARMs online research chemicals suppliers will have Cabergoline available in liquid form.

But here’s the kicker:

Too many assume all research-grade peptides and ancillaries (including Caber) are equal. There are some poor-quality research labs out there. As always, go for REPUTABLE and TRUSTED suppliers only. You want a fast-acting fix for prolactin issues, so don’t risk wasting time (and money) on bunk Cabergoline.

Is Cabergoline Legal?

In the US, Cabergoline is a prescription-only medication. You’ll need to show a doctor’s prescription to buy it online or in person from a legitimate pharmacy. Unless you’ve got an off-label usage reason to be prescribed Caber (like restless leg syndrome or where it’s used alongside some types of antidepressants), then a prescription is probably as unlikely for you as it is for me.

Buying black-market pharma Cabergoline is technically illegal for you as the buyer; however, it’s the supplier who is likely to land in legal trouble.

Want to know the best part?

Research chemical grade Cabergoline is legal (currently) to both sell and buy. You won’t be checked whether you’re a “researcher” if you buy Caber from one of these labs, and they are legally allowed to sell the product with the disclaimer that it’s for research purposes only.

In my experience, if I want to get my hands on Cabergoline reliably, quickly, and affordably, then I’ll go to my favored research chemical supplier and have it in my hands within a day or two with no legal worries.

Typical Pricing

Generic Caber will generally be less expensive than the Pfizer-manufactured Dostinex, although it won’t be any easier to buy (legally) without a prescription. Purchasing the Dostinex brand of tablets (made by Pfizer) will result in prices varying hugely between different countries.

As an example, in Canada, it can cost you over $400 for 16 tablets, while in Turkey, the same product can be found for around $100. Purchasing Cabergoline from a pharmacy in India can mean paying well under $100 for 16 tablets.

Research chemical Cabergoline is the only viable option for many of us who might not have access to pharmaceuticals. This can save you money, although you will be dealing with a liquid form of the drug typically sold in vials of 30ml at 0.5mg/ml. Expect to pay around $50 per vial.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, Cabergoline is not a cheap drug to purchase (if you want pharma grade), and on a per-tablet basis, it’s going to be one of the more expensive ancillaries you use.

It’s also easy to get scared away from Caber, thanks to the heart-related side effect risks. But we have to remember this is primarily a concern at very high doses! I’d probably steer clear of Caber if I had a known heart condition. But otherwise, I find it to be an ancillary that goes hand in hand with my Nandrolone cycles.

Is Cabergoline the best gynecomastia reversal and prevention ancillary we can use? I think it comes close, especially as so much AAS-induced gyno is, in fact, prolactin-related. Combined with Ralox and possibly Nolvadex at low doses, a low weekly dose of Caber can effectively nuke your gyno as long as you get on to it early.

It won’t be much use if you’ve had gyno since puberty or if you’ve let it develop to an advanced stage. But it’s the sexual-related benefits that give most of us reason to use Caber on-cycle, and believe me, the difference in quality of life and your sex life with this drug compared to not using it is night and day!

Personally, I won’t go without Cabergoline on a Tren or Deca/NPP cycle. Keep in mind this is a super strong drug, so don’t overdo your dose!

Related:

— Furious Joe

Cabergoline (Dostinex) PCT 101: The Bodybuilder’s Guide