The contingency of valvulopathy from cabergoline is spewed-out as absolute.
Incidentally, these individuals that continually regurgitate thee-lore of absolute have not looked at clinical data.
This same homology is spoken by the unscholarly stating testosterone replacement is a common theme for CVD.
I'm sure my commentary will be taken out of context by those whom choose to rebuttal.
If it's not warranted to use a D2 agonist, don't take it recreationally in hopes to set your libido a-blaze. Not a smart idea.
Here's a good start to further your reading pleasures.
A decade after the alarming association of cabergoline-associated valvulopathy (CAV) in Parkinson disease, only two confirmed cases have occurred in patients with prolactinoma. Routine screening for CAV by echocardiography has not proved to be of diagnostic ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
"The Third Case of Cabergoline-Associated Valvulopathy: The Value of Routine Cardiovascular Examination for Screening"
"In conclusion, it is reassuring to endocrinologists (and patients) that the prevalence of CAV in patients with prolactinoma is extremely low."
"Given this low prevalence, routine screening with echocardiography is not indicated. The recommended screening procedure should be an annual cardiovascular examination, with echocardiography reserved for patients with a murmur or those with high cumulative cabergoline doses."
Clinical relevance of association of cabergoline use for hyperprolactinemia and cardiac valvulopathy remains unclear.The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of valvular heart abnormalities in patients taking cabergoline for the treatment ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
"Cabergoline appears to be safe in patients with prolactinoma up to the cumulative dose of ~300 mg. The screening for valvulopathy should be restricted to those with higher cumulative cabergoline exposure."
By cumulative, there's several different longitudinal studies looking at structural changes, some of these patients were Rx'd 6-12grams per day (Parkinson's disease dosages) exceeding an cumulative dosage of >1000 mg without or very minimal, reversible valvular disease. Then there's been similar studies showing permanent structural damage. These were dosages that were taken for years. Not some miniscule 0.25mg (twice-weekly) for short periods of time.
It's like saying, "you'll develop cirrhosis if you drink alcohol". Yeah, sure in an abusive manner or you have a genetic predisposition to some hepatic disease, or inclusion of hepatotoxic drugs that potentiate the ethanol damaging effects from alcohol to your liver.
I would be more concerned with my immune system (prolactin facilitates as a hormone and a cytokine) due to pushing my Prl levels too low, rather than placing concerns of the possibility of valvulopathy. As well, chancing a paradoxical effect on my libido by driving my Prl in the dirt.
Our immune system is dependent on physiological levels of prolactin, like with many other hormones, prolactin is a immunoregulating hormone. We have prolactin receptors in our T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, this also could disrupt macrophage activation. Not a good thing. Both, T and B lymphocytes produce antibodies against foreign antigens, such as bacterial infections. So I'd be a little cautious on long-term hypoprolactinemia. An occasional D2 agonist, isn't a big deal. Long-term, I personally wouldn't use.
And to clear the air on the pathogenesis of valvulopathy via Caber, it's not a relationship with circulating levels of Prl (to the best of my knowledge). It's due to off-site effects by targeting-->5-Hydroxytryptamine 2B receptors (type of serotonergic receptor). In which are highly abundant in heart tissue, this specific receptor regulates cardiac tissue structure and function.
Ecstasy and Fen-Phen (long been banned) are two other drugs that directly express agonistic effects on 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2B receptors.
So don't go banging any Ecstasy with your Caber.