Mesulergine (CU 32-085) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
The long-term effects of mesulergine, a new drug with dopamine agonistic properties, were studied in 28 patients with Parkinson's disease. In 18 patients with late side effects of levodopa, the addition of mesulergine (10.9 mg/day) induced significant decreases in the global (-48%), rigidity (-62%), and akinesia (-37%) scores. The drug was found to be very effective on tremor (-71%). Mesulergine was useful in cases of inefficacy of levodopa alone or persistent intolerable side effects. The decrease in levodopa dose and the addition of mesulergine permitted a significant reduction in dyskinesia. Used as sole therapeutic agent (10.9 mg/day), mesulergine was found to be active on tremor and rigidity scores but not on akinesia or global scores. Mesulergine induced few side effects. These results show the antiparkinsonian properties of mesulergine that seem to be of significant therapeutic value in patients with tremor or in combination with levodopa.
Rascol
A
A
Montastruc
J L
JL
Rascol
O
O
Senard
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004873:Ergolines; D007980:Levodopa; C031649:mesulergine