Pergolide

Pergolide is a dopamine agonist with affinity for D1, D2 and D3 receptors. Pergolide has a long half-life, is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestin al tract, metabolised by the liver and excreted through the kidneys (55%), the faeces (40%) and the lungs (5%). Pergolide has proven to be an efficaci ous drug in treating Parkinson's disease in several studies. In a large stu dy including 376 patients of pergolide given as concomitant medication to l evodopa, a significant increase in motor scores as well as in on-time were reported. Moreover, this motor improvement correlated with an improvement i n the activities of daily living. At the same time the levodopa dose could be decreased. In comparative studies against bromocriptine, pergolide has s hown to be superior in most cases. Finally, in a recently presented study, pergolide used as a monotherapeutic drug in Parkinson's disease significant ly improved UPDRS Part I "motoricity" and Part II "activities of daily livi ng".