title: Combined bromocriptine-levodopa therapy early in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Compared with levodopa, treatment of parkinsonism for 3 years with bromocriptine alone resulted in less fluctuation and peak-dose dyskinesia, but also less improvement in parkinsonian disability. Only a few of the 76 patients had long-term benefit on chronic bromocriptine therapy. However, combined bromocriptine and levodopa therapy had a therapeutic response equal to that of levodopa alone, with fewer fluctuations and peak-dose dyskinesias. Treatment should begin with a low dose of levodopa and a dopamine agonist.
mesh_terms: D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa