Pharmacokinetics of bromocriptine during continuous oral treatment of Parkinson's disease

The plasma kinetics of bromocriptine (BCT), a long-acting dopamine agonist, was studied in twelve patients with Parkinson's disease, using a newly developed gas chromatographic method of analysis. Each patient received BCT for at least three weeks in a constant but different dose regimen. Concomitant treatment with 1-DOPA was not allowed. During a 6-day hospitalization period, a blood sample was taken immediately before the afternoon dose at 14.00 h (Cmin) to determine the steady-state level. On the 6th day blood samples were collected every hour during two 8 h dose intervals. The results showed a significant correlation between the mean values of the AUC and the Cmin. First order elimination kinetics appeared to be followed by BCT, at least for the plasma concentrations commonly found. Considerable inter-individual variation was demonstrated both for the dose/plasma concentration ratio and for calculated plasma clearances. No serious side-effects were observed during the investigation.