title: A review of adverse events linked to dopamine agonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dopamine agonists are highly effective as adjunctive therapy to levodopa in advanced Parkinson's disease. These drugs have rapidly gained popularity as a monotherapy in the early stages of Parkinson's disease for patients less than 65-70 years old since they are about as effective as levodopa but patients demonstrate a lower tendency to develop motor complications. However, dopamine agonists could have peripheral and central side-effects which are often the reason for the discontinuation of the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents an overview of the efficacy and the potential negative effects related to the use of dopamine agonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beyond the new generation non ergot dopamine agonists, no strong evidences allow the choice of a specific dopamine agonists for Parkinson 's disease treatment and by now dopamine agonists treatment should be tailored on specific adverse events profile.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.|b Department of Neurosciences, Neurology Unit , AOU-Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceravolo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.|b Department of Neurosciences, Neurology Unit , AOU-Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.|b Department of Neurosciences, Neurology Unit , AOU-Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.|b Department of Neurosciences, Neurology Unit , AOU-Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Ubaldo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bonuccelli
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D007980:Levodopa
keywords: Dopamine agonists; Parkinson’s disease; adverse effects; treatment