Pergolide: treatment of choice in restless legs syndrome (RLS) and nocturnal myoclonus syndrome (NMS). A double-blind randomized crossover trial of pergolide versus L-Dopa

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 1997;104(4-5):461-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01277664.

Abstract

A double-blind randomized crossover study of 0.125 mg Pergolide (Lilly) at bedtime versus 250mg L-Dopa + Carbidopa (Roche) was conducted in 16-day phases in 11 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Two patients reported a partial and 9 patients a complete relieve of motor restlessness while receiving Pergolide. Only 1 patient experienced an improvement of restlessness after L-Dopa. The patients showed polysomnographically a mean decrease in NMS cluster disturbed time by 45% from control on L-Dopa (p < 0.025) and by 79% from control on Pergolide (p < 0.001). In addition, Pergolide increased the total sleep time compared to L-Dopa (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the dopamine agonist Pergolide is superior to L-Dopa in the treatment of RLS and NMS.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myoclonus / drug therapy*
  • Myoclonus / physiopathology
  • Pergolide / therapeutic use*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Drug Combinations
  • Pergolide
  • Levodopa
  • Carbidopa