Bromocriptine combined with levodopa in Parkinson's disease.
Bromocriptine (Parlodel) was given for 2 years to 17 parkinsonian patients showing inadequate response to treatment over a mean of 7 years with levodopa combined with a decarboxylase inhibitor. 11 of the patients had developed dyskinesia and 13 the on-off phenomenon during levodopa therapy. When the dose of bromocriptine reached 30 mg daily, after 4 weeks' treatment, a highly significant improvement (p less than 0.001) was observed in the following six variables: bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, feeding, dressing and speech. These improvements have now been maintained for 2 years. The on-off phenomenon disappeared in 9 out of 13 patients. Side effects were mild and transient. Involuntary movements existing prior to bromocriptine administration were improved by reducing the dose of levodopa. The mean daily dose--after progressive and individual adjustment--was 46 mg bromocriptine combined with 435 mg levodopa plus decarboxylase inhibitor.
D000368:Aged; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa