Comparative study of effects of bromocriptine and pergolide in Parkinson's disease

Introduction. Bromocriptine and pergolide are the two dopamine agonists most often used in Parkinson's disease. Few comparative studies of the efficacy of both compounds ai-e available. Objective. To compare the relative efficacy of bromocriptine and pergolide in patients with Parkinson's disease and intermediate stages of evolution. Methods. Open label study of 5-months of duration. The first agonist was given for two months and, after a period of substitution of one month, the second agonist was also maintained for two months. Results. Pergolide was more effective than bromocriptine for global scores of the UPDRS, total motor scores, clinical symptoms, akinesia and rigidity. Both compounds were equal effective for the treatment of tremor and fluctuations. Both agonists produced similar side effects. Conclusions. At the ratio 1/10 mg/day pergolide was more effective than bromocriptine in patients with Parkinson's disease at intermediate stages of evolution [REV NEUROL 1997; 25: 1343-5].