[Dopamine agonists in the treatment of motor complications in advanced Parkinson's disease]

Abstract

Dopamine agonists are a relatively new group of medications, which are the second group after levodopa in terms of clinical efficacy in reduction of parkinsonian symptoms. When added to levodopa in patients with motor fluctuations they significantly prolong the on time with reduction of off periods. In patients with dyskinesias they may also be useful, because the reduction of levodopa may decrease the severity of dyskinesias as well. Agonists of the new generation, like the non-ergotamine derivatives ropinirol and pramipexol, but also the older ergoline derivative pergolide, fulfill the criterion of efficacy in classification according to evidence-based medicine regulations.