Bromocriptine and its use in Parkinsonism.
Bromocriptine is a potent dopamine agonist which directly stimulates dopamine receptors. In the corpus striatum, this action results in alleviation of many of the signs and symptoms of parkinsonism. The effectiveness of bromocriptine may persist for at least one to two years; results of more prolonged treatment are not available. Adverse reactions are common and often severe, but safety in dosages up to 100 mg daily for one to two years has been adequately established. Bromocriptine is qualitatively and quantitatively similar to levodopa in both beneficial and adverse effect. However, because of variations in individual response, bromocriptine sometimes ameliorates the problems of prolonged levodopa therapy, i.e., declining efficacy, fluctuations in therapeutic response, and the development of disabling abnormal involuntary movements, Thus bromocriptine is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of parkinsonism.
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa