Comparison of lisuride and bromocriptine in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease

Twenty patients with advanced idiopathic Parkinson's disease were studied, all having a deteriorating response to levodopa and suffering from daily fluctuations in disability. A double-blind randomized cross-over study was conducted. Basic levodopa and anticholinergic treatment was continued unchanged in all patients. The dose increment period of 4-8 weeks was followed by a 4 week treatment period on a fixed optimal dose. In both treatment groups the mean optimal daily dose of lisuride was 1.3 mg (range 0.2-2.4 mg) and that of bromocriptine about 15 mg (range 3.75-30.0), without any significant differences between the treatment groups. The addition of lisuride or bromocriptine to levodopa treatment resulted in a significant and equal further improvement of parkinsonian disability. The therapeutic profiles of both lisuride and bromocriptine were similar. There was significantly more improvement in tremor than in other parkinsonian symptoms. Both lisuride and bromocriptine elicited a significant improvement in fluctuations of disability. No significant differences between the treatments were observed. The occurrence of clinical side effects seemed to be similar with both treatment regimens. In advanced parkinsonian patients the therapeutic efficacy of lisuride seems to be equal to that of bromocriptine as far as parkinsonian disability and fluctuations in disability are concerned.