Bromocriptine for Parkinson s disease

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (SEDA-12, 123) (18) and pulmonary fibrosis (SEDA-11, 130) during treatment with high doses of bromocriptine have been observed. The drug s structural relation to methysergide clearly has to be kept in mind. Pleural thickening and effusions can be present in up to 6% of patients treated with bromocriptine for Parkinson s disease, and this is related to duration of exposure and cumulative dose (19). The author recommended drug withdrawal in these patients. However, withdrawal does not always lead to complete resolution of the lesions (20). 

Darkening of the sweat has been described (43). Darkening of the white hair of a patient who was taking levodopa in combination with bromocriptine for Parkinson s disease has been reported (SEDA-15,133). 

A 73-year-old man taking levodopa/benserazide and bromocriptine for Parkinson s disease was given lansoprazole 15 mg daily to treat reflux oesophagitis. Two days later, the patient exhibited akinesia (more motor difficulties and slowness in movements) associated with frequent falls. Lansoprazole was discontinued, with disappearance of the symptoms the day after. About 3 months later the patient was prescribed omeprazole 20 mg daily, which caused no aggravation of Parkinson s disease over the following 6 months. 

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