Sooner or later, every nursing woman is faced with the issue of stopping lactation. Enough money is being offered today to reduce breast milk production. One such drug is Dostinex.
Dostinex is a medicine that refers to hormones. The active substance acts on a certain part of the brain, inhibiting the production of the hormone prolactin, thereby reducing the amount of breast milk.
The result is noticeable almost immediately – after 3 hours there is a decrease in lactation. Doctors note that the level of prolactin in the blood gradually decreases, the effect lasts from 7–28 days.
Decreased lactation depends on the dosage and duration of use of the drug. Despite the fact that the drug is hormonal, it acts selectively, without affecting the production of other hormones.
Dostinex is a medication that helps stop the production of breast milk
Composition and use for stopping lactation
The main active ingredient is cabergoline, which acts on the part of the brain (pituitary gland) and helps to suppress lactation.
A prescription drug is prescribed. Indications may serve:
- cessation of postpartum or established lactation;
- empty Turkish saddle syndrome – pathology of the diaphragm of the brain;
- prevention of lactation due to stillbirth or after abortion;
- menstrual irregularities;
- elevated levels of the hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinemia).
The drug is available in 0.5 mg tablets
The dosage, schedule and duration of admission are selected by the attending physician. In this case, chronic diseases, the current state of the nursing mother are taken into account. Usually, to stop lactation, tablets are taken within two days. The medicine is consumed while eating.
The treatment regimen is selected purely individually. First, the minimum dose of the drug is prescribed. If necessary, as well as normal tolerance, the doctor can increase the dosage. Doing it yourself is strictly prohibited, since the drug is able to lower blood pressure. It is fraught with dizziness and fainting.
To make the process faster, a woman should limit her fluid intake, so it is not recommended to start taking the drug in the hot season.
Contraindications and side effects when using
Before using the medicine, you should make sure that there are no contraindications, which include:
- individual intolerance to cabergoline, as well as ergot alkaloids;
- cardiac and respiratory disorders;
- long-term therapy of cardiovascular diseases;
- gastric bleeding and peptic ulcer;
- liver failure;
- simultaneous use of drugs that help lower blood pressure.
According to statistics, 14% of women had negative consequences while taking the drug. Another 3% had to stop taking the pills due to severe side effects.
Usually unpleasant symptoms occur at the very beginning of therapy and gradually disappear as it continues or after discontinuation of the drug.
Adverse reactions are of a different nature and depend on the dosage.
Negative consequences can be expressed as:
- Dizziness
- dry mouth
- nausea
- nervousness
- sleep disturbances;
- irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx;
- lowering blood pressure;
- lower hemoglobin levels.
In rare cases, there is a visual impairment, general malaise, muscle cramps, rash.
Advantages and disadvantages of the drug
The advantages of a medical product include its quick effectiveness. The effect occurs within 3 hours after taking the pill. However, the drug has a lot of side effects, as well as its severe tolerance. Another drawback is the mandatory control of the level of the hormone prolactin and the high cost of the drug.
In addition, Dostinex is not recommended to be taken without a complete study of the function of the pituitary gland, passing tests and checking the status of the cardiovascular system. The pharmacy chain offers a number of cabergoline-based medications with a similar effect.
Opinion of Dr. Komarovsky about Dostinex
Dr. Komarovsky believes that Dostinex should be taken only when absolutely necessary. If this remedy was recommended to a woman, Evgeny Olegovich advises to schedule his appointment at the end of the week so that the baby can stay with other close people, since it is in the first two days that the risk of developing side effects increases. In addition, a young mother should not be left alone at home – possibly a strong decrease in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
Komarovsky believes that other methods should be used to reduce milk production:
- Engage in active sports – run, walk fast, do push-ups. The more sweat is released, the less milk is produced.
- Drink less fluids. This does not mean that a woman should refuse to drink. You should return to such a drinking regimen, which was before childbirth.
- Stop pumping because this process triggers the milk production mechanism.
