title: Simplification of the initiation of bromocriptine in elderly patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
abstract: One hundred and seventy-three parkinsonian patients treated with levodopa entered a randomized multicentre comparison between two introductory schedules for adjuvant bromocriptine. A 2-week placebo run-in was followed by a double-blind 8-week titration phase of bromocriptine up to 15 mg daily, according to the standard seven-step, or a simpler three-step, regimen. They were maintained on this dose for a further 8 weeks and then followed for a further 12 weeks. One hundred and fifty-nine patients completed the placebo run-in period, and 132 completed 16 weeks. No significant differences were found between the standard and simplified regimens for efficacy, side-effects, withdrawals or deaths, nor for any of the clinical or functional assessments. The Webster score improved by 29% and the Cape ADL by 32%. The simpler schedule offers advantages to those elderly parkinsonian patients in whom bromocriptine is added to optimal levodopa dosage.
authors.affiliation: Barncoose Hospital, Redruth, Cornwall.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: MacMahon
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Overstall
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa