Cabergoline

Cabergoline	Last updated: 13/10/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An ergot derivative which is a prolactin Inhibitor/dopamine (D2) agonist used to reduce prolactin levels in veterinary medicine

Examples of veterinary uses

Drug used to suppress lactation and treat phantom pregnancy as well as to induce estrus (heat), and treat anestrus (no estrus) & canine mastitis.

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Cabergoline exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically diastereomerism and enantiomerism, due to its complex ergoline-based structure with multiple chiral centres. The molecule contains a tetracyclic ergoline ring system with defined stereochemistry at positions 6a, 9, and 10a, which are crucial for its biological activity as a dopamine D2 receptor agonist. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is typically the (6aR,9R,10aR)-isomer, which ensures optimal receptor binding and therapeutic efficacy.

Chemical formula

C₂₆H₃₇N₅O₂

Canonical SMILES

CCNC(=O)N(CCCN(C)C)C(=O)C1CC2C(CC3=CNC4=CC=CC2=C34)N(C1)CC=C

Isomeric SMILES

CCNC(=O)N(CCCN(C)C)C(=O)[C@@H]1C[C@H]2[C@@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC2=C34)N(C1)CC=C

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

KORNTPPJEAJQIU-KJXAQDMKSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C26H37N5O2/c1-5-11-30-17-19(25(32)31(26(33)27-6-2)13-8-12-29(3)4)14-21-20-9-7-10-22-24(20)18(16-28-22)15-23(21)30/h5,7,9-10,16,19,21,23,28H,1,6,8,11-15,17H2,2-4H3,(H,27,33)/t19-,21-,23-/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
cabergoline	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Gynecological drug, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Ergot derivative

Minimum active substance purity

98%

Known relevant impurities

Cabergoline N-oxide or positional cabergoline isomers may be present

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

A dopamine D2 receptor agonist; a potent prolactin inhibitor.

Molecular targets

[D(2) dopamine receptor, Agonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor, agonist], [D(3) dopamine receptor, agonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor, agonist], [Alpha-2B adrenergic receptor, Antagonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 1D receptor, agonist], [Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor, Antagonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor, agonist], [Alpha-2C adrenergic receptor, Antagonist], [D(1B) dopamine receptor, agonist], [D(1A) dopamine receptor, agonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptor, agonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 2C receptor, agonist], [5-hydroxytryptamine 7 receptor, Antagonist]

CAS RN

81409-90-7

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

54746

Therapeutic Class

Genito urinary system & sex hormones: Other gynecologicals

ATCvet Code

QG02CB03

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

451.60

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N-[(ethylamino)carbonyl]- 6-(2-propenyl)-8g-ergoline-8-carboxamide

CAS name

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Other status information

Physical state

White powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1981, developed Italy

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Ceva Salute Animale S.p.A.
Le Vet Beheer B.V.

Example products using this active

Galastop Oral solution
Finilac Oral Solution

Formulation and application details

Formulated as a solution for oral administration

Commercial production

The production of cabergoline begins with the synthesis of an ergoline-8beta-carboxylic acid ester, a key intermediate derived from lysergic acid derivatives. This ester undergoes a series of transformations, starting with activation of the carboxylic group using agents like ethylcarbodiimide or phenyl chloroformate to facilitate coupling. The activated intermediate is then reacted with 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine and ethylamine to form the desired N-acylurea linkage, which defines cabergoline’s pharmacologically active structure.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

103

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

6-allyl-8b-carboxy-ergoline (Ref: FCE 21589)

acid derivative

Animal; Human (Urine)

~0.3

Ref: FCE 21904

amide derivative

Animal

Ref: FCE 21590

Animal (Urine)

Small quantity

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

383

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

383

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Rapidly and extensively metabolised in the liver and excreted mainly in faeces (rat data)

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Hormonal agent
May cause gastric problems
May cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, anorexia, diarrhoea, and constipation
Published data suggests Cabergoline is carcinogenic in mice and rats at high doses

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H360, H362, H372

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

cabergoline

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

cabergolina

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	13/10/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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