Name: Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Class: Antiparkinsonian Agent (DA agonist)
Mechanism: Full agonist at D2 receptors, partial agonist at D1 receptors.
Absorption:
Dist.:
Metabolism.:
Excretion, t½: 3-7 hr.
Toxicity/S.E.s: High incidence. Dyskinesias, orthostatic hypotension, hallucinations, confusion, psychosis (C/I w/history of psychosis), anorexia, n/v, cardiac arrhythmias, (C/I w/recent MI), painless digital vasospasm (avoid w/periph. vascular disease).
Utility: Relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Reduce on/off fluctuations and induce on/off effect less frequently.
Features: Longer duration of action than L-Dopa. Doesn’t depend on residual dopamine neurons. \ May be more useful in late PD. May be as effective as L-Dopa in patients that respond well to L-Dopa, but patients unresponsive to L-Dopa are poor candidates for bromocriptine treatment.