quinagolide hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Non-ergot dopamine D2-receptor agonist and prolactin inhibitor
Licensed use
Hyperprolactinaemia, including that caused by a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma
Administration
An oral tablet taken at bedtime with some food
Important caution
May cause postural low blood pressure, fainting or sleepiness
What is quinagolide hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed to treat raised blood prolactin levels.
Idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, where no specific underlying cause is identified
Hyperprolactinaemia caused by a prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenoma or macroadenoma
How does quinagolide hydrochloride work?
Quinagolide selectively stimulates dopamine D2 receptors. This inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary, helping improve consequences of excess prolactin such as unwanted milk production, menstrual disturbance, infertility, and reduced libido.
quinagolide hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 micrograms, 50 micrograms, 75 micrograms
How to take quinagolide hydrochloride
Follow the dispensing label and prescriber's instructions; do not alter treatment yourself.
Take the tablet at bedtime with some food.
Remove it from the blister only when needed and swallow it with water.
Rise slowly from sitting or lying because dizziness or faintness can occur.
Avoid driving or hazardous activities if sleepy, dizzy, or less alert.
quinagolide hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or tiredness
- Reduced appetite or abdominal pain
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Flushing, nasal congestion, or fluid retention
- Low blood pressure, particularly when standing
Get urgent medical advice
- Fainting or collapse from low blood pressure
- Marked sleepiness that makes driving or other hazardous activity unsafe
- Hallucinations, acute psychosis, or another severe mental-state change
- New harmful or uncontrollable impulses involving gambling, spending, eating, or sexual behaviour
quinagolide hydrochloride in pregnancy
Treatment can restore fertility. Human pregnancy experience is limited; when pregnancy is confirmed, quinagolide is generally stopped unless there is a medical reason to continue it. Pregnancy should be reported promptly to the specialist, and people with a pituitary adenoma require close supervision.
quinagolide hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Quinagolide suppresses milk production, so breastfeeding is usually not possible. If milk production continues, breastfeeding is not recommended because it is unknown whether quinagolide enters human milk and published evidence is lacking.
quinagolide hydrochloride interactions
No confirmed medicine interactions are reported in the product information, but clinically relevant theoretical and tolerability effects remain possible.
Antipsychotics and other strong dopamine antagonists
May theoretically oppose quinagolide and reduce its prolactin-lowering effect.
Alcohol
May make quinagolide less well tolerated or worsen its adverse effects.
Common questions about quinagolide hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is quinagolide hydrochloride used for?
It treats hyperprolactinaemia, including cases associated with a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma.
How does quinagolide hydrochloride lower prolactin?
It activates dopamine D2 receptors and inhibits prolactin release from the anterior pituitary.
Can quinagolide hydrochloride restore fertility?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.