Pergolide mesylate treatment of cocaine withdrawal

Side effects occasionally limit the use of bromocriptine for cocaine withdrawal. The recently released medication pergolide shares some pharmacologic properties with bromocriptine but differs in potency and dopamine receptor subtype specificity. The authors tested pergolide in the treatment of 21 patients experiencing cocaine withdrawal. Sixteen patients reported rapid improvement in sleep and decreased cocaine craving. Side effects were limited primarily to gastrointestinal complaints.