Ropinirole for the treatment of early Parkinson's disease

C. H. Adler, K. D. Sethi, R. A. Hauser, T. L. Davis, J. P. Hammerstad, J. Bertoni, R. L. Taylor, J. Sanchez-Ramos, C. F. O'Brien

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

268 Scopus citations

Abstract

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel- group, 6-month study assessed the efficacy and safety of ropinirole, a nonergoline D2-dopamine agonist, in patients with early Parkinson's disease (n = 241; Hoehn and Yahr stages I to III) with limited or no prior dopaminergic therapy. Patients (mean age, 62.8 years), stratified by concomitant use of selegiline, were randomized to ropinirole (n = 116) or placebo (n = 125). The starting dose of ropinirole was 0.25 mg tid with titration to at least 1.5 mg tid (maximum dose, 8 mg tid). Primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage improvement in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. Ropinirole-treated patients had a significantly greater percentage improvement in UPDRS motor score than patients who received placebo (+24% vs -3%; p < 0.001). Ropinirole was well tolerated and patient withdrawals were infrequent. Most adverse experiences were related to peripheral dopaminergic activity. Ropinirole monotherapy is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for treatment of early Parkinson's disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)393-399
Number of pages7
JournalNeurology
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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