Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Sudden-Onset Sleep in Parkinson Disease

Abstract
The new non-ergot dopamine agonists ropinirole and pramipexole are effective options for treating Parkinson disease (PD).1 Recently published data2,3 supporting the potential of delaying the onset of dyskinesias have provided a strong incentive to use the medications as monotherapy early in this disease. Somnolence is a recognized adverse effect of dopamine agonists.4 The safety of driving while taking these medications has become the subject of recent debate.