Lisuride in the treatment of Parkinsonism

Lisuride 1.2-4.8 mg daily was given to 10 patients with severe Parkinsonism for up to 9 months. All had been taking bromocriptine and eight had been taking levodopa combined with carbidopa. Total replacement of bromocriptine by lisuride was achieved in every case, but partial or total levodopa replacement was possible only in five patients. Lisuride 1 mg has approximately the same antiparkinsonian activity as bromocriptine 15 mg or levodopa 250-500 mg combined with carbidopa, but the duration of action of each dose is short, and gastro-intestinal and neuropsychiatric side effects are common. However, lisuride i.v. may be of considerable value in the emergency treatment of severe Parkinsonism.