Cabergoline for Lactation Inhibition After Early Second-Trimester Abortion or Pregnancy Loss

Phase 2

• Conditions: Lactation Suppressed
• Interventions: Drug: Cabergoline 1 MG; Drug: Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT06029673
• Lead Sponsor: Stanford University

Brief Summary

Breast pain following second-trimester abortion is common. Breast engorgement and milk leakage following second-trimester perinatal loss and abortion can cause both physical pain and emotional distress. Dopamine agonists have previously been shown to be effective in lactation inhibition for third-trimester fetal/neonatal loss or contraindications to breastfeeding. The investigator's prior work demonstrated that compared to placebo, a single dose of cabergoline was effective in preventing breast symptoms after abortion or loss 18-28 weeks. As lactogenesis starts as early as 16 weeks gestation, the investigators hope to determine the efficacy of cabergoline earlier in the second trimester,16-20 weeks.

Detailed Description

This study is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, gestational-age stratified superiority trial of those undergoing abortion or intrauterine fetal demise between 16 and 20-weeks gestation at Stanford Health Care. Participants will be randomized to either cabergoline 1 mg or placebo the day of procedure. Participants will complete a survey to assess symptoms, using the validated Bristol Breast Symptoms Inventory, and side-effects at baseline and Day 2, 4, 7, and 14 after the procedure. The study plan is to recruit 72 subjects powered to detect a 45% decrease in those reporting breast symptoms compared to the control group.

This study has the potential to improve overall patient experience by validating the routine use of cabergoline for lactation inhibition in the early second-trimester after abortion or pregnancy loss.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-09-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-09-01
• Study First Posted: 2023-09-08
• Study Start: 2024-02-07
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-07
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2026-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 72

Inclusion Criteria

• Pregnant people, ages 18 years or older
• Intrauterine pregnancy between 16/0-19/6 weeks of gestation age (by ultrasound dating performed prior to or same day of enrollment visit)
• Consented for an induced, elective abortion or undergoing management of fetal demise
• English or Spanish speaking
• Able to consent for a research study, literate in English or Spanish
• Willing to comply with study procedures and follow-up
• Access to smart phone throughout study

Exclusion Criteria

18 Years Female No No

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant people, ages 18 years or older
• Intrauterine pregnancy between 18/0-28/0 weeks of gestation age (by ultrasound dating performed prior to or same day of enrollment visit)
• Consented for an induced, elective abortion or undergoing induction for demise
• English or Spanish speaking
• Able to consent for a research study, literate in English or Spanish
• Willing to comply with study procedures and follow-up
• Access to smart phone throughout study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior mastectomy (breast reduction or chest masculinization surgery acceptable)
• Currently breastfeeding
• Currently receiving dopamine agonist or antagonist therapy for other indication leg syndrome)
• Contraindication to cabergoline (as per package insert)
• Uncontrolled hypertension - defined as baseline BP > 160/110, or chronic hypertension requiring more than one baseline medication, or current pregnancy-induced hypertension spectrum disorders (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia)
• History of cardiac valvular disorders or valvular repair
• History of pulmonary, pericardial, or retroperitoneal fibrotic disorders

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cabergoline	Cabergoline 1 MG	After the completion of the surgical procedure or medical induction for the early second-trimester abortion or fetal loss, the participant will be administered cabergoline 1mg orally with juice or water by the clinician or study investigator.
Placebo	Placebo	After the completion of the surgical procedure or medical induction for the early second-trimester abortion or fetal loss, the participant will be administered a placebo pill orally with juice or water by the clinician or study investigator.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Reporting Breast Pain	Day 4 after procedure	Participants will assess their breast symptoms using the validated Bristol Breast Inventory survey to assess 4 domains of breast symptoms: tenderness, engorgement, leaking milk, pain relief. Participants who indicated symptoms in any of these areas met the criteria for this outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Experiencing Side-effects	Cumulative over 2 weeks	Participants selected from previously documented side-effects from the dopaminergic class or entered as free-text. Participants may have reported more than one side-effect.
Number of Participants Reporting Significant Bother From Breast Pain	Day 4 after procedure	Assessed using a Facial Pain Score (scale range 0-6, significant bother \>=4)
Number of Participants Reporting Significant Bother From Side-effects	Cumulative over 2 weeks	Assessed using a Facial Pain Score (scale range 0-6, significant bother \>=4)

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Planned Parenthood - San Jose Central Health Center; 🇺🇸 San Jose, California, United States

Stanford University; 🇺🇸 Stanford, California, United States