Low dosages of bromocriptine added to levodopa in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Thirty-six patients with Parkinson''s disease, on L-dopa, were admitted to a double-blind, parallel, 40-wk study of adjunct bromocriptine in dosages increased by 2.5 mg every 4 wk. A 37% improvement of the mean neurologic deficit score was obtained at the maximal daily dosage of 20 mg. Improvement was greatest in patients with mild disease. The wearing-off effect, off-dose abnormal involuntary movements and leg pains, associated with L-dopa, improved in > 70% of patients at an average dosage of 13 mg. Only 15% of patients had adverse reactions severe enough to necessitate discontinuance of the drug. Abnormalities of mental state were less severe than expected, but 2 patients had exacerbations of angina pectoris.