entacapone and Drug-Hypersensitivity

After levodopa, dopaminergic agonists are the most powerful agents in idiopathic Parkinson's disease treatment. Used in monotherapy or rather in early combination with levodopa, they allow a dramatic reduction of long-term motor side effects of the latter: onset and peak-dose dyskinesias, early morning dystonias. Their gastro-intestinal (nauseas) and moreover psychiatric (confusion and hallucinations) side effects limit their use, notably in geriatric populations. Superiority of so-called "second generation" agonists (ropinirole, pramipexole) on "first generation" agonists (bromocriptine, pergolide) remains to be proved.

Topics: Aged; Antiparkinson Agents; Apomorphine; Benzothiazoles; Biological Availability; Bromocriptine; Catechols; Dopamine Agonists; Drug Combinations; Drug Hypersensitivity; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Indoles; Levodopa; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Nitriles; Parkinson Disease; Pergolide; Pramipexole; Selegiline; Thiazoles