Agonist substitution in advanced Parkinson's disease.
We studied whether Parkinson's disease patients who had lost efficacy from pergolide (PERG) could benefit if transferred to bromocriptine (BCT) therapy. Using paired t-tests, we compared motor scores at baseline (when patients were still on PERG) and after 6 months of BCT therapy in 11 patients. No significant improvement occurred in any measure on BCT therapy (mean dose 33.6 mg/day), although patients remained stable. In 6 patients on whom "on/off" data were obtained, decreased "off" time and increased "on" time without chorea occurred, but these changes were not statistically significant. The side effect profile was similar with the 2 drugs.
Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
C G
CG
Goetz
K M
KM
Shannon
C M
CM
Tanner
V S
VS
Carroll
H L
HL
Klawans
D000368:Aged; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010479:Pergolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D010479:Pergolide; D001971:Bromocriptine