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Scattered case reports have suggested that pergolide (Permax; approved in the U.S. for Parkinson disease) and cabergoline (Dostinex; approved for hyperprolactinemia in the U.S., but for Parkinson disease elsewhere) are associated with cardiac valvular disease. Both drugs are ergot-derived dopamine agonists, in contrast to dopamine agonists such as pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip), which are non–ergot-derived. Two new studies provide additional information.
Italian researchers performed echocardiography in 155 patients taking dopamine agonists for Parkinson disease (113 taking pergolide or cabergoline, and 42 taking non–ergot-derived agents) and 90 controls, none of whom were known to have had valvular disease. Moderate-to-severe…