High-Dose Pergolide Can Substitute for Levodopa (PD Congress 2001)

[Hans van der Genugten <genugten@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

E-MOVE reports from the 14th International Congress on Parkinson's
Disease, Helsinki July 28-Aug 1. Poster and Platform session numbers refer
to those in the abstract book, published in Parkinsonism and Related
Disorders 2001;7(Supplement).

High-dose therapy with pergolide--results of a prospective randomized
trial
J Schwarz, G Arnold, T Gasser, HP Hundemer
S-SA-002

Thirty-three patients (mean Hoehn and Yahr stage 2.5) on levodopa and
dopamine agonist therapy received increasing doses of pergolide with
simultaneous reduction of other agonists and levodopa. Baseline doses were
2.5 mg pergolide and 500 mg levodopa. At 24 weeks, doses were 7.8 mg
pergolide and 258 mg levodopa. Twenty-seven patients completed the trial;
2 patients dropped out for lack of efficacy, and 1 patient required
hospitalization for psychosis. Motor symptoms on UPDRS part III improved
from 26 at baseline to 22 at 24 weeks (p=0.01), with specific effect on
tremor. Neither dyskinesias nor activities of daily living were
significantly affected. Adverse events included anxiety, hallucinations,
weakness, abdominal pain, and edema.

Dr. Schwarz noted that many patients have remained on high-dose pergolide
for several years, although 2 developed ergotism requiring a reduction in
dose.

Other E-MOVE reports on pergolide for PD are archived at




Supported by Eli Lilly
---
Funding for E-MOVE meeting reports is provided in part by unrestricted
educational grants from Allergan Inc., Elan Pharmaceuticals, and Pharmacia
Corporation.

Copyright 2000 WE MOVE
Editor: Richard Robinson (rrobinson@xxxxxxxxxx)

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