Drug Warning: Permax

Generic name: pergolide mesylate (member of the class of drugs known as dopamine agonists)

Manufactured and marketed by: Eli Lilly and Co.

Purpose: Was prescribed in combination with other drugs to treat Parkinson's disease. Permax was designed to work by activating dopamine receptors located in the brain.

Side Effects Reported

• Some patients that were treated with Permax reportedly developed a damaging heart condition known as cardiac valvulopathy.
• Valvular heart damage was found in three Parkinson's disease patients treated with Permax, according to a report from the Mayo Clinic in 2002.
• The heart valve damage found in these patients is similar to the valve problems caused by the diet drug combination known as fen-phen. Heart valve replacement was necessary for two of the patients involved in the Mayo Clinic report who had used Permax.
• None of the three patients had any previous history of heart disease.

Industry Report

An additional study, presented at the American Academy of Neurology, in which 46 Parkinson's disease patients who were treated with Permax had echocardiograms performed, indicated that as much as 89% of the patients that were involved in the study had leaky heart valves, a condition called valvular insufficiency. This condition occurs when the heart valves do not close properly. The heart is forced to work harder in order to circulate the blood throughout the body. The valve damage could lead to a heart attack or heart failure. The Permax group was found to be 18 times more likely to suffer from significant heart valve leakage in at least one heart valve when compared to an age-matched comparison group. Symptoms of heart valve disease may include difficulty breathing, weakness, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, swelling of feet or abdomen, and weight gain.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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