Pergolide is used alone or together with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking.
Pergolide cannot cure Parkinson's disease but it can improve the quality of life for people who have the disease.
Pergolide may also be used to treat other medical conditions, as decided by your doctor.
Take Pergolide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take Pergolide with food. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not divide or crush the tablet.
If you are taking Pergolide for the very first time, take it with a snack shortly before you sleep. This is to minimise dizziness which may occur with the first dose of Pergolide. Thereafter, you may take it at a time convenient for you. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Pergolide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Pergolide even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor or pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have heart valve disease or scarring disorders such as pulmonary fibrosis (scarring disorder of the lungs) as Pergolide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mood disorders
- mental illness
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pergolide may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Pergolide may also cause you to suddenly fall asleep during your daily activities such as eating and watching television. You may not feel drowsy before you fall asleep. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Pergolide may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, constipation, runny nose, difficulty sleeping and double vision. These side effects are common especially when you have just started taking Pergolide.
Let your doctor know if you experience:
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- muscle stiffness accompanied by fever
- uncontrollable movements such as twitching or jerking
- breathing difficulties, persistent cough or chest pain
- stomach pain and tenderness
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. haloperidol, chlorpromazine
- migraine medicines e.g. ergotoxine, ergometrine
- medicine to treat hyperactivity disorders e.g. methylphenidate
- metoclopramide (medicine for nausea or vomiting)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pergolide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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