Cabergoline to prevent lactation and ease breast symptoms after abortion or pregnancy loss

Efficacy of Cabergoline in Inhibiting Lactation and Alleviating Breast Symptoms After 12-18 Week Abortion or Pregnancy Loss: A Pilot and Randomized Controlled Trial

PHASE2 · Maimonides Medical Center · NCT07492160

This trial will test whether a single 1 mg oral dose of cabergoline can prevent lactation and reduce breast symptoms in people aged 18 and older having an abortion or pregnancy loss at 12–18 weeks.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment348 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorMaimonides Medical Center (other)
Locations1 site (Brooklyn, New York)
Trial IDNCT07492160 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study gives participants a single 1 mg oral dose of cabergoline or matching placebo around the time of a planned abortion or treatment for pregnancy loss. Participants complete a baseline survey of breast symptoms before the procedure and follow-up surveys to measure whether they develop engorgement, milk leakage, tenderness, or need for pain relief. The main outcomes are the proportion of participants with breast symptoms and the severity and bother of those symptoms compared between cabergoline and placebo groups. The trial is conducted at Maimonides Medical Center and enrolls adults 18 years and older with gestational ages between 12 and 18 weeks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: People aged 18 or older with a pregnancy of 12–18 weeks who are undergoing treatment for induced abortion or spontaneous pregnancy loss at Maimonides Medical Center and can give informed consent and complete surveys.

Not a fit: People who are currently breastfeeding, have had a mastectomy, are taking dopamine agonists or antagonists, have contraindications to cabergoline, or whose pregnancy is outside 12–18 weeks are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, cabergoline could prevent lactation and reduce physical and emotional discomfort from breast symptoms after early second-trimester abortion or pregnancy loss.

How similar studies have performed: Cabergoline is known to suppress lactation after full-term delivery and small studies suggest benefit for later second-trimester loss, but evidence is limited for use specifically at 12–18 weeks.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant people aged 18 years or older
* Gestational age between 12 and 18 weeks
* Undergoing treatment for spontaneous or induced abortion at Maimonides Medical Center
* Able to provide informed consent
* Willing and able to complete study surveys

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior mastectomy
* Currently breastfeeding
* Current use of a dopamine agonist or dopamine antagonist medication
* Known contraindication to Cabergoline according to the medication prescribing information

Where this trial is running

Brooklyn, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Pregnancy, Abortion, cabergoline, pregnancy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.