Pergolide: treatment of choice in restless legs syndrome (RLS) and nocturnal myoclonus syndrome (NMS). A double-blind randomized crossover trial of pergolide versus L-Dopa.
A double-blind randomized crossover study of 0.125 mg Pergolide (Lilly) at bedtime versus 250mg L-Dopa + Carbidopa (Roche) was conducted in 16-day phases in 11 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Two patients reported a partial and 9 patients a complete relieve of motor restlessness while receiving Pergolide. Only 1 patient experienced an improvement of restlessness after L-Dopa. The patients showed polysomnographically a mean decrease in NMS cluster disturbed time by 45% from control on L-Dopa (p < 0.025) and by 79% from control on Pergolide (p < 0.001). In addition, Pergolide increased the total sleep time compared to L-Dopa (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the dopamine agonist Pergolide is superior to L-Dopa in the treatment of RLS and NMS.
Staedt
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Georg August University, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Wassmuth
F
F
Ziemann
U
U
Hajak
G
G
Rüther
E
E
Stoppe
G
G
D000368:Aged; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010479:Pergolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010479:Pergolide; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa