A Hearty Life

Parkinson’s Drugs Permax and Dostinex May Cause Heart Problems

by Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD on January 6th, 2007

Two small studies have found that common dopamine agonist drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease–perolide (Permax) and cabergoline (Dostinex)–may cause heart valve regurgitation.

In one study of 31 cases and 25 controls,

• Permax was associated with a 7.1 times higher risk of heart valve regurgitation.
• Dostinex was associated witha 4.9 times higher risk.

In another study of 64 Permax users, 49 Dostinex users, 42 users of other dopamine agonists, and 90 control subjects,

• 23% of Permax users had heart valve regurgitation
• 29% of Dostinex users
• 0% of other dopamine agonist users
• 6% of controls

There was a dosage dependent relationship between Permax and Dostinex use with heart disease severity. These results have led some to suggest that Permax and Dostinex should not be prescribed since they stimulate serotonin receptors which are tied to drug-induced valve disease.

Reuters, January 6, 2007

Tags: heart, heart disease, heart valve, heart valve regurgitation, drugs, permax, dostinex, dopamine agonist, parkinsons disease, pergolide, cabergoline

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POSTED IN: Heart Drugs