Pergolide and Cabergoline (Permax, Dostinex)

eliza · Post by **eliza** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:29 am

Did anyone notice the AP article on the Parkinson’s / RLS drugs Pergolide and Cabergoline? The article titled “Parkinson’s drugs may be riskier than thought” says that a recent study shows there are irreversable heart valve problems similar to those associated with fen-phen. According to the article, “Moderate to severe valve problems were seen in 23 percent of those on pergolide and nearly 29 percent of those on cabergoline but none of those on other Parkinson's drugs and less than 6 percent of the comparison group. The study was paid for by the Milan clinic and two Parkinson's foundations” and was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. You can read the article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/ap_ ... on_s_drugs (accessed 1/3/07).

sardsy75 · Post by **sardsy75** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:17 pm

Hey Eliza

Thanks for the article link.

It's not just heart problems, but lung problems linked to these two drugs as well.

I was on Cabergoline for the better part of two years and my GP finally made the decision to take me off it due to the high risk of pulmonary fibrosis. I was up to 5mg/day and had developed a dry cough that was so prominent that I would barely be able to string a few words together before disolving into a violent coughing fit.

I was on Permax for a few months as well and also developed the same cough.

Take care of you!

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:19 pm

We also need to remember that A) this is only with the ergot-derived medications (Requip and Mirapex are non-ergot DAs) and B) if you still must take these, you can have regular check-ups that greatly reduce the already low risk.

However, that is why Requip and Mirapex are the recommended DAs to try and the others should only be tried after several others are tried and do not work.

The new DAs in the FDA pipeline are also non-ergot.

fulltimemartins · Post by **fulltimemartins** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:18 pm

I have been on permax for about 4 years for my rls. I had my regular appt. with my doc the day after this report came out and he did not say anything about it and usually he is quick to take me off anything that will add to heart problems as I am also diabetic so my chances of heart problems is a bit higher. The permax works for me sometimes and sometimes not. I suppose it is like all the rest....I go off it sometimes and back on it because I have found nothing that works for me on a regular basis. The past several nights I have spent walking the floor, kicking my legs, and even falling asleep standing up. Oh well.........the joys of rls!!

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:43 pm

Definitely call him back and set up an appointment for a test for you heart - an echocardiagram, I think. From what I understand, you should have one annually while on Permax - regardless of dose. One of the women on the Yahoo board was on small dose - had open heart surgery a few years ago. She is only 49 now.