THE LEVODOPA DOSE-SPARING CAPACITY OF PERGOLIDE COMPARED WITH THAT OFBROMOCRIPTINE

This multicentre, open-label, crossover study compared the effects of pergolide and bromocriptine in combination with levodopa in the treatm ent of 33 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The aim of the study was to compare clinical efficacy and levodopa-dose-sparing effe cts of the two drugs. Pergolide, given as either the first or second t reatment, reduced the required dose of levodopa. On the other hand, br omocriptine given as the first therapy reduced this dose, whereas when it was used following pergolide treatment, the required dose of levod opa increased. Overall, pergolide had significantly greater levodopa-d ose-sparing effects than bromocriptine. Similar results were obtained for clinical efficacy. Pergolide used as either the first or second tr eatment produced a reduction in motor symptoms, whereas bromocriptine used first produced a reduction, but as a second treatment produced an increase in motor symptoms. Overall, pergolide produced greater clini cal benefits than bromocriptine. Both treatments were equally well tol erated. The main side-effect was nausea, which was reported by four pa tients receiving each treatment. No serious adverse events were report ed. It is concluded that both pergolide and bromocriptine are useful a djuncts to levodopa therapy. Furthermore, pergolide appeared to be sup erior to bromocriptine.