Controlled trial of pergolide mesylate in Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

We evaluated pergolide in 22 patients with Parkinson's disease and 3 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). After achieving an optimal dose of pergolide and Sinemet, a matching placebo was substituted in double-blind manner. The mean dose of levodopa (in Sinemet) was reduced by 68%; in eight patients, pergolide completely replaced levodopa. In parkinsonian patients, the mean Hoehn-Yahr stage decreased from 3.2 to 1.6, and the mean total disability score decreased from 48.3 to 17.8. In 10 patients with on-off phenomenon, the time on increased 174% with pergolide. There was little effect in PSP. Postural light-headedness and reversible mental changes were seen.