Experience of pergolide in the treatment of Chinese parkinsonian patients with dose-related fluctuations.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To improve dose-related fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease, the efficacy of pergolide, a long-acting dopamine receptor agonist, was determined.

METHODS:

Using a stringent diagnostic criterion for Parkinson's disease, 20 patients were selected for a short-term open-label trial, and were divided into three groups based on the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS:

Nineteen patients completed the study. The mean dosage of pergolide was 2.89 mg per day. The total motor score improved by 34.1% during the "on" period and by 34.8% during the "off" period (p < 0.001). The recorded daily off time decreased from 40.3% to 11.5% (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the magnitude of response among different groups of patients; however, patients with shorter duration of illness also received significantly lower dosage of pergolide. Hallucination, worsening of peak-dose dyskinesia, and lowering of blood pressure were major adverse effects. Pergolide could not prevent the occurrence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pergolide is very effective for moderate to advanced Parkinson's disease.

• Authors: D E Shan, S I Yeh
• Journal: Zhonghua yi xue za zhi = Chinese medical journal; Free China ed (Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei)) Vol. 56 Issue 5 Pg. 312-8 (Nov 1995) ISSN: 0578-1337 [Print] China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 8605645 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiparkinson Agents
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Pergolide

Topics

• Aged
• Antiparkinson Agents (therapeutic use)
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy)
• Pergolide (therapeutic use)