An Australian multicentre open label study of pergolide as an adjunct to levodopa in Parkinson's disease

The efficacy and side effects of pergolide, a D, and D, dopamine agonist, were assessed in an open label study in 39 patients with long standing Parkinson's disease complicated by end of dose failure and/or dyskinesia. 27 patients completed 28 weeks of the study. The mean dose of pergolide was 2.26 mg/day (0.15-5.0 mg/day). Levodopa was reduced by a mean of 273 mg/day (range 0-1950 mg/day) from the initial mean dose of 920 mg/day (range 150-2950 mg/day). Hours in which the drug was efficacious significantly increased. Dyskinesia and dystonia were significantly reduced. The scores on an abbreviated Parkinson's disease rating scale significantly improved ia both the 'on' and 'off' periods. 11 patients withdrew due to early side effects but the majority of patients tolerated pergolide well, in these patients pergolide was an effective adjunct to levodopa. (C) Pearson Professional 1996