Lisuride in Parkinson disease: efficacy of lisuride compared to levodopa.

Lisuride hydrogen maleate, a semisynthetic ergoline and potent central dopamine and serotonin agonist, was tested in 10 patients with moderate to marked Parkinson disease whose response to levodopa had diminished. In the group of 10 patients, there was a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0.05) in bradykinesia, gait disorder, and total Parkinson disease disability score when levodopa was replaced with lisuride. The mean dose of lisuride was 3.6 mg per day. Among the 10 patients, 5 were better on lisuride than on levodopa, and 4 continue on lisuride 1 year later. A decline in efficacy was noted in all four after a mean of 45 months. Adverse effects necessitating discontinuing the drug were mental changes in three patients and nausea in one patient. Lisuride, when used alone, has definite antiparkinsonian activity and is a promising new drug.