Re: Pergolide what is "ergotism"?

["Robert A. Fink, M. D." <rafink@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date sent:              Mon, 30 Jul 2001 10:42:03 +0800
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From:                   Bob & Joy Graham <bjgraham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject:                Pergolide what is "ergotism"?
To:                     PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Adverse events included anxiety, hallucinations,
> >weakness, abdominal pain, and edema.

The above are the symptoms of "ergotism".  Ergot is the alkaloid
which is the active ingredient in Pergolide.  It is also present in such
drugs as Cafergot (for the treatment of migraines).  Ergot alkaloids
cause constriction of blood vessels and, in overdosage, can cause
these symptoms and worse (gangrene, etc.).

In the Middle Ages, a fungus grew on wheat, and that fungus was
ergot.  When the contaminated wheat was eaten, people got
"ergotism" which resulted in the toxic effects listed above.  They also
danced around in their pain and psychosis, and this was called "St.
Vitus' Dance".


Best,

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


**********************************************
Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C.
2500 Milvia Street  Suite 222
Berkeley, California  94704-2636
Telephone:  510-849-2555   FAX:  510-849-2557
WWW:  

mailto:rafink@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

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