Low-dose bromocriptine therapy in Parkinson's disease

R. F. Pfeiffer, K. Wilken, C. Glaeske and A. S. Lorenzo

The efficacy of low-dose bromocriptine mesylate administration (20 mg daily or less) was evaluated in a double-blind study. Nine of 16 individuals receiving bromocriptine completed the 40-week study. Modest, but significant, improvement was derived from bromocriptine therapy. Improvement was most evident in tremor. Maximum improvement was achieved with doses between 7.5 and 15.0 mg daily, with some decline in efficacy as doses approached 20 mg. Adverse effects were common, but were generally mild in severity. Our results suggest that bromocriptine in low doses may be an effective adjunct to carbidopa and levodopa (Sinemet) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.