Bromocriptine in Parkinson's disease: results obtained with high and low dose therapy

The results obtained with high and low dose bromocriptine therapy were compared in a review assessing the per cent of patients showing improvement (not taking account of the extent of improvement). It is concluded that the response rate with low dose bromocriptine is as good as that obtained with high dose therapy for both de novo and levodopa treated patients. The incidence of adverse effects is similar in the high and low dose treatment groups. More levodopa reduction results in a higher daily bromocriptine requirement. A statistical analysis of 61 bromocriptine-levodopa treated patients showed no positive correlation between bromocriptine dose and severity or duration of Parkinson's disease.