Dopamine agonists (prolactin control)Dopamine agonistA compound that activates dopamine receptors; among other effects it regulates release of the hormone prolactin.
Cabergoline vs Bromocriptine vs Pramipexole
The table compares the compounds’ key data from their entry pages. Open each compound’s full entry for details. Educational content, not medical advice.
 Cabergoline (Dostinex) | Bromocriptine (Parlodel) | Pramipexole (Mirapex) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Long-acting ergot D2 dopamine agonist. EMA-approved (1992 Pharmacia, now Pfizer) for hyperprolactinemia. In AAS: 19-Nor/Tren prolactin-control golden-standard, 0.25-0.5 mg 2x/week bloodwork-titrated. Long t1/2 ~63 h. | First-generation ergot D2 dopamine agonist, Sandoz 1972 (Parlodel). Cabergoline's predecessor; shorter half-life (~3-12 h), more vegetative side effects (nausea, hypotension). Also marketed as Cycloset (2009 FDA) for T2DM. | Non-ergot D3-D2 selective DA agonist. FDA-approved (1997 Boehringer) for Parkinson's + restless legs. AAS-PCT niche: prolactin control + sexual stimulation (D3 selectivity). FDA black-box ICD risk (impulse-control disorder). |
| MechanismMechanism of actionThe molecular pathway by which a compound acts in the body (e.g. which receptor or enzyme it binds). | Long-acting ergot D2 DA agonist, pituitary lactotroph prolactin suppression | First-gen ergot D1+D2 mixed DA agonist, prolactin suppression + secondary T2DM insulin sensitivity boost | Non-ergot D3-D2 selective DA agonist (D3 > D2), pituitary prolactin suppression + sexual stimulation |
| Dosing (AAS) | 0.25-0.5 mg 2x/week (Mon+Thu) bloodwork-titrated | — | 0.0625 mg evening start, max 0.25-0.5 mg/day titrated |
| Half-lifeHalf-lifeThe time for the compound’s plasma concentration to fall by half; indicates how fast it clears and how often it is dosed. | ~63-69 hours (very long) | ~3-12 hours | ~8-12 hours |
| OnsetOnsetThe time from dosing until a measurable effect appears. | Prolactin reduction measurable 3 h, plateau 48-72 h | Prolactin reduction 1-2 h, plateau 8-24 h | Prolactin reduction 2-4 h |
| Legal statusLegal / WADA statusThe compound’s regulatory status (e.g. prescription) and its place on the WADA prohibited-in-sport list. | EMA + FDA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed (not listed) | FDA + EMA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed | FDA + EMA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed |
| Dosing (AAS prolactin) | — | 1.25-5 mg/day divided 2-3× (start 1.25 mg with food, slow titration) | — |
| Full entry | Open → | Open → | Open → |
What it is
Cabergoline (Dostinex)Long-acting ergot D2 dopamine agonist. EMA-approved (1992 Pharmacia, now Pfizer) for hyperprolactinemia. In AAS: 19-Nor/Tren prolactin-control golden-standard, 0.25-0.5 mg 2x/week bloodwork-titrated. Long t1/2 ~63 h.
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)First-generation ergot D2 dopamine agonist, Sandoz 1972 (Parlodel). Cabergoline's predecessor; shorter half-life (~3-12 h), more vegetative side effects (nausea, hypotension). Also marketed as Cycloset (2009 FDA) for T2DM.
Pramipexole (Mirapex)Non-ergot D3-D2 selective DA agonist. FDA-approved (1997 Boehringer) for Parkinson's + restless legs. AAS-PCT niche: prolactin control + sexual stimulation (D3 selectivity). FDA black-box ICD risk (impulse-control disorder).
MechanismMechanism of actionThe molecular pathway by which a compound acts in the body (e.g. which receptor or enzyme it binds).
Cabergoline (Dostinex)Long-acting ergot D2 DA agonist, pituitary lactotroph prolactin suppression
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)First-gen ergot D1+D2 mixed DA agonist, prolactin suppression + secondary T2DM insulin sensitivity boost
Pramipexole (Mirapex)Non-ergot D3-D2 selective DA agonist (D3 > D2), pituitary prolactin suppression + sexual stimulation
Dosing (AAS)
Cabergoline (Dostinex)0.25-0.5 mg 2x/week (Mon+Thu) bloodwork-titrated
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)—
Pramipexole (Mirapex)0.0625 mg evening start, max 0.25-0.5 mg/day titrated
Half-lifeHalf-lifeThe time for the compound’s plasma concentration to fall by half; indicates how fast it clears and how often it is dosed.
Cabergoline (Dostinex)~63-69 hours (very long)
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)~3-12 hours
Pramipexole (Mirapex)~8-12 hours
OnsetOnsetThe time from dosing until a measurable effect appears.
Cabergoline (Dostinex)Prolactin reduction measurable 3 h, plateau 48-72 h
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)Prolactin reduction 1-2 h, plateau 8-24 h
Pramipexole (Mirapex)Prolactin reduction 2-4 h
Legal statusLegal / WADA statusThe compound’s regulatory status (e.g. prescription) and its place on the WADA prohibited-in-sport list.
Cabergoline (Dostinex)EMA + FDA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed (not listed)
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)FDA + EMA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed
Pramipexole (Mirapex)FDA + EMA Rx, HU + PL approved, WADA allowed
Dosing (AAS prolactin)
Cabergoline (Dostinex)—
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)1.25-5 mg/day divided 2-3× (start 1.25 mg with food, slow titration)
Pramipexole (Mirapex)—