Clinical pharmacology of dopamine agonists

With the availability of newer dopamine agonists selective for dopamine (D2) receptor subtypes, medical management of Parkinson's disease has progressed substantially. These agents can decrease the frequency of ergot-related side effects and dyskinesias. Also, when given as adjunctive therapy with levodopa, they can allow the levodopa maintenance dosage to be reduced without loss of symptom control. Based on early clinical experience, dopamine agonists can also be prescribed as initial monotherapy and can delay therapy with levodopa. Their therapeutic roles will be defined further by long-term studies.