AN AUSTRALIAN MULTICENTER OPEN-LABEL STUDY OF PERGOLIDE AS AN ADJUNCTTO LEVODOPA IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

The efficacy and side effects of pergolide, a D, and D, dopamine agoni st, were assessed in an open label study in 39 patients with long stan ding Parkinson's disease complicated by end of dose failure and/or dys kinesia. 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 eff icacious significantly increased. Dyskinesia and dystonia were signifi cantly reduced. The scores on an abbreviated Parkinson's disease ratin g scale significantly improved ia both the 'on' and 'off' periods. 11 patients withdrew due to early side effects but the majority of patien ts tolerated pergolide well, in these patients pergolide was an effect ive adjunct to levodopa. (C) Pearson Professional 1996