Name the category.
Antiparkinson Agents
Name the 2 main drugs.
Apomorphine
Bromocriptine
Dopamine agonists are grouped according to their chemical structure into ergotamine-derived agonists (ergot) and agonists that are not derived from ergotamine (non-ergot). To which classes do apomorphine and bromocriptine belong to?
Apomorphine: Non-ergot
Bromocriptine: Ergot
Describe the mode of action.
Act directly at striatal dopamine receptors
Predominantly control bradykinetic symptoms
List indications for apomorphine.
Initial treatment option for PD, especially in younger patients
Adjunctive treatment for patients of any age
First-line treatment for restless leg syndrome
Are there any indications for bromocriptine?
No longer recommended for treatment of PD
List adverse effects of dopamine agonists.
Nausea, orthostatic hypotension, daytime drowsiness
Hallucinations, psychosis, impulse control disorders (may be mistaken for an acute manic episode)
Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome
Ergot dopamine agonists: fibrosis (cardial, pleural, retriperitoneal)
Are there any special considerations?
Less effective than L-DOPA, but fewer motor side effects
Effective in advanced disease stages
Last changed2 years ago