It is so sad that a report such as this one could cause so much worry and
concern. It is media sensationalism masquerading as public concern, and
taking a medical report out of context.
Ergot derivatives have LONG been know to cause pleural and retroperitoneal
fibrosis - it is not new news - nor is it any reason to be terribly
concerned. This is thickening and scarring of the lining of the lungs and
the abdominal cavity. This can cause shortness of breath.
It is such a rare occurrence that very few neurologists have ever
encountered it in patients they treat. It is reportable. The Autralian
site "pneumotox.com" mentions only one report, but a careful search of
PubMed yields a few others.
It is theoretically possible that it would occur with bromociptine
(Parlodel) or pramipexole (Mirapex). Even when it does happen, it most
often regresses (reverses) when the drug is stopped.
It is good to know it MAY happen EXTREMELY RARELY. If you develop shortness
of breath while taking anti-Parkinsonian drugs, (or at any other time) you
should notify your doctor. The chances are, however, that many other more
likely causes are at the root of the problem.
Jorge Romero, MD
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Cottingham" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 12:43 PM
Subject: Ergot derivatives used to treat Parkinson's disease can be linked
to lung disease.
The Australian, a national newspaper in Sydney, reported the following
today:
Ergot derivatives used to treat Parkinson's disease can be linked to lung
disease.
Bromocriptine/Parlodel and pergolide/Permax are ergot derivatives.
The source is: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Medicines leaving patients breathless
By BELINDA HICKMAN
31aug00
MORE than 300 common drugs have been identified as causing lung diseases,
such as coughing and asthma, prompting warnings that doctors are not
sufficiently aware of the medicines' potential for causing serious side
effects.
The first World Congress on Lung Health and Respiratory Diseases, which
began in Florence yesterday, has heard that hundreds of drugs supplied for
disorders including high blood pressure, allergies, rheumatism, infections
and cancer can cause lung diseases.
The effects may occur quickly or over a long period of time. If problems are
identified, patients are advised to stop or change medications.
Symptoms usually subside if the side effect is identified early, but
long-term lung scarring can occur if the problem is not picked up quickly.
French physician Philippe Camus, of the University Medical Centre in Dijon,
told the congress he had found at least 50 lung diseases and syndromes -
including coughs, breathlessness, pleurisy and acute respiratory failure -
that could be caused, or aggravated by, common medicines. He said 310 drugs
had so far been identified as affecting the lungs.
"This means the number is really much greater if you consider that each
active principle in a preparation is usually marketed in several different
forms," Professor Camus said in a statement distributed by the congress,
which is being attended by 15,000 specialists from 84 countries.
"The problem was practically unknown 25 years ago, but it is now taking on
alarming proportions."
Australian specialists yesterday supported Professor Camus's findings,
warning that doctors and patients needed to be more aware of the onset of
respiratory symptoms - such as coughing, breathlessness, wheezing and chest
pains - when beginning a medication.
Australian Lung Foundation national chairman Bob Edwardes said he saw four
to five patients a year who had developed lung disease symptoms from taking
a new medicine.
"Australia-wide, there would probably be several hundred cases a year. It is
a significant problem and one that is not very well recognised," Dr Edwardes
said.
"The message for patients who have started a new treatment, or doctors
seeing people coming back with wheezing, breathlessness or coughing, is that
you must consider the drug is causing the trouble."
Professor Camus's team has created a website (www.pneumotox.com), which
lists drugs according to the number of reports of adverse lung events made
about them.
Drug categories linked to pulmonary diseases:
Beta-blockers for high blood pressure
ACE-inhibitors for congestive heart failure and high blood pressure
Antibiotics
Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory painkillers
Anti-cancer medications
Anti-depressants
Ergot derivatives used to treat Parkinson's disease.
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John Cottingham
