Pergolide
Generic name: Pergolide [ PER-go-lide ]
Drug class: Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 28, 2023.
Uses of Pergolide:
- It is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Pergolide?
- If you are allergic to pergolide; any part of pergolide; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have heart valve problems.
- If you have ever had any side effects when taking ergot drugs (like dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide).
- If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take pergolide if you are pregnant.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take pergolide.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with pergolide.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take pergolide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Pergolide?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take pergolide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how pergolide affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- You will need to have heart function tests while taking pergolide. Talk with the doctor.
- Some people have fallen asleep during activities like driving, eating, or talking. Some people did not feel sleepy and felt alert right before falling asleep. This has happened up to 1 year after pergolide was started. If you fall asleep during activities, do not drive or do other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert while you take pergolide. Call your doctor right away if this happens or you feel very sleepy.
- Rarely, thickening (fibrosis) in some areas like the lungs or the heart has happened with pergolide. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
How is this medicine (Pergolide) best taken?
Use pergolide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take by mouth only.
- Keep taking pergolide even when you are not having symptoms.
- Do not stop taking pergolide all of a sudden or lower your dose without talking to your doctor. Side effects may happen.
- Keep taking pergolide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Chest pain.
- Cough that does not go away.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Feeling confused.
- Change in how you act.
- Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).
- Change in eyesight.
- Rarely, heart valve problems have happened with pergolide. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling in the arms or legs, or a big weight gain.
- A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.
Related/similar drugs
What are some other side effects of Pergolide?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Dizziness.
- Feeling sleepy.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or feeling less hungry.
- Runny nose.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Pergolide?
- Store in the original container at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Do not crush tablets.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about pergolide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
More about pergolide
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.