Pergolide

Pergolide is an ergoline-based dopamine receptor agonist used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Pergolide has some of the same effects as dopamine in the body.

Uses
Pergolide is also used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson's disease, although it has also been used to treat discomfort or pain in the lower extremities that can only be relieved by moving the legs. Pergolide is often used in conjunction with other medicines in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Furthermore, pergolide may also be used for veterinary purposes. It is commonly used for the treatment of pituitary pars intermedia hyperplasia or Equine Cushing's Syndrome (ECS) in horses.

Side effects
The drug is in decreasing use, as it was reported in 2003 to be associated with a form of heart disease called cardiac fibrosis. This problem is thought to be due to pergolide's action at the 5-HT2B serotonin receptors of cardiac myocytes, causing proliferative valve disease by the same mechanism as ergotamine, methysergide, fenfluramine, and other serotonin 5-HT2B agonists, including serotonin itself when elevated in the blood in carcinoid syndrome. Pergolide can rarely cause Raynaud's phenomenon. Among similar antiparkinsonian drugs, cabergoline but not lisuride exhibit this same type of serotonin receptor binding. In January, 2007, cabergoline (Dostinex) was reported also to be associated with valvular proliferation heart damage. In March 2007, pergolide was withdrawn from the U.S. market due to serious valvular damage that was shown in two independent studies.

Pergolide has also been shown to impair associative learning.

On March 30th, 2007, manufacturers of Pergolide agreed to withdraw the drug from the U.S. market after several published studies revealed a link between the drug and increased rates of valvular dysfunction.