Clinical and pharmacological evaluation of the effects of piribedil in patients with parkinsonism.
Nine patients with Parkinsonism were studied before and after treatment with piribedil, a dopamine-receptor stimulator. Piribedil appeared to have a slight anti-Parkinsonism effect upon bradykinesia, and possibly upon tremor, but did not improve rigidity. The chief toxic effects were drowsiness and confusion, and two patients experienced nausea. Changes in homovanillic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid indicated that the drug reduced the turnover of endogenous dopamine. In spite of this definite neuropharmacological action, no clear-cut associated clinical benefit was demonstrated. The significance of these findings is discussed.
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002819:Chorea / Q000139:chemically induced; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D004149:Dioxoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004576:Electromyography; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000188:drug therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010301:Parkinson Disease, Postencephalitic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004149:Dioxoles; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D007980:Levodopa; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid