Adverse outcomes in a controlled trial of pergolide for cocaine dependence

We conducted a double-blind, multiple dose comparison study of pergolide ve rsus placebo for the treatment of cocaine dependence. In the present study, we examined patients who met criteria for cocaine dependence without comor bid alcohol dependence (N = 255). Study completion rates favored placebo (4 8.9%) over the low dose (3.3.3%) and high dose (21.5%) pergolide subjects ( chi (2)(2) = 14.17, p less than or equal to 0.001). Treatment effectiveness scores (TES) were significantly higher for the placebo group (31.7) than t he low dose (25.2) and high dose (14.2) pergolide groups (F2,252 = 6.21, p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in side effect profiles aft er first dose of pergolide or placebo, or at study termination. Results of this study suggest that pergolide was not efficacious in the treatment of c ocaine dependence due to reduced study participation. Caution regarding the outpatient use of pergolide in similar populations is warranted.