A multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial of pergolide as an adjunct to Sinemet in Parkinson's disease.
Three hundred and seventy-six subjects with advanced Parkinson's disease participated in a prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled study of the dopamine agonist pergolide mesylate as an adjunct to Sinemet. At 6 months, patients randomized to pergolide had a statistically significant improvement in total Parkinson's score, scores of activities of daily living, motor function, number of "off" hours, Hoehn and Yahr stage, and numerous parameters of parkinsonian function including bradykinesia, rigidity, gait, and dexterity. This benefit was obtained with the addition of a mean dose of 2.94 mg of pergolide, which permitted a 24.7% reduction in dose of levodopa. Adverse reactions were, for the most part, mild, reversible, and not of major clinical significance. No significant cardiac or electrocardiographic abnormalities were detected. This study demonstrates that pergolide mesylate, as an adjunct to levodopa, is an effective antiparkinsonian agent that provides clinical improvement while permitting a reduction in levodopa dose.
Olanow
C W
CW
Department of Neurology and Pharmacology, University of South Florida, Tampa.
Fahn
S
S
Muenter
M
M
Klawans
H
H
Hurtig
H
H
Stern
M
M
Shoulson
I
I
Kurlan
R
R
Grimes
J D
JD
Jankovic
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010479:Pergolide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D010479:Pergolide; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa