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Hijanet >----------------------------------------------------------------------- >Cabergoline (no brandname available - Pharmacia & Upjohn) >----------------------------------------------------------------------- In UK it's called Cabaser. > >Cabergoline, an ergoline derivative related to bromocriptine and pergolide, >is a D2-specific dopaminergic agonist that is more potent and longer-acting >than other dopamine agonists currently used to treat Parkinson's disease. > >In patients receiving levodopa, it effectively decreases levodopa response >fluctuations and allows for lower levodopa doses. > >Plasma activity peaks between 0.5 and 4 hours with a half-life of about 7.5 >hours and a slower elimination of 68-72 hours. > >Patients in Italy, the United States and Canada have been treated with >cabergoline once daily in dosages from 0.5 to 5.0 mg. > >Side effects are typical for dopaminergic agents and can include dizziness, >nausea, dry mouth and orthostatic hypotension. > >Episodes of visual hallucinations also occurred in a few patients. > >The once daily schedule and long-acting effects offer greater compliance >and provide greater control of motor fluctuations than currently available >dopamine agonists. > >Unfortunately, this drug may not be offered as an anti-parkinsonian agent, >but instead may only be marketed as a prolactin suppressing agent to stop >lactation. > >At this time, no efforts to market this drug for Parkinson's disease are >underway. Except in UK. Ask Emma Bennion about it - she has first-hand experience. -- Jeremy Browne - [log in to unmask] Hampshire, UK