PERGOLIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Permax

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antidyskinetic

Uses

Treats Parkinson's disease when used together with levodopa or carbidopa.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

When to take:
Follow doctor's instructions. Usually 3 times a day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Stimulates dopamine receptors in the central nervous system to make them more active.
Lowers the required dosage of carbidopa and levodopa.

Time lapse before drug works:
Not documented.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Seizures, chest pain, Seek emergency treatment shortness of breath. immediately.

Common:

• Confusion; hallucinations; painful urination; unusual movements of face, head, hands and tongue.
• Abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, nasal stuffiness.

Infrequent:

Chills, diarrhea, dry mouth, appetite loss, facial swelling, increased sex drive.

Rare:

Weakness, vision changes, fainting, increased sweating, nausea and vomiting.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to pergolide or any ergot preparation*.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heartbeat irregularities.
• If you have hallucinations.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Not recommended. Pergolide can prevent lactation.

Infants & children:
Effect not documented. Consult your pediatrician.

Prolonged use:
Request frequent blood pressure checks.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Chlorprothixene	Decreased pergolide effect.
Droperidol	Decreased pergolide effect.
Flupenthixol	Decreased pergolide effect.
Haloperidol	Decreased pergolide effect.
Loxapine	Decreased pergolide effect.
Methyldopa	Decreased pergolide effect.
Metoclopropamide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Molindone	Decreased pergolide effect.
Papaverine	Decreased pergolide effect.
Reserpine	Decreased pergolide effect.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects
	of both drugs.
Thiothixene	Decreased pergolide effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions. Avoid.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.