Movement Disorders [2011] 26 (5) : 801-806 (V.G.Rasmussen, K.Østergaard, E.Dupont, S.H.Poulsen)
The use of dopamine agonists increases the risk of valvular regurgitation in people with Parkinson's Disease. Valvular regurgitation is when a cardiac valve becomes diseased or damaged, and is no longer able to close properly. Leakage of blood occurs across the valve. This leakage of blood is referred to as regurgitation. Valvular regurgitation can lead to abnormal cardiac function. For more information go to Mitral valvular regurgitation.
Cabergoline, which is also known by the brand names Dostinex and Cabaser, was the worst of those dopamine agonists assessed. The likelihood of valvular regurgitation in people with Parkinson's Disease taking Cabergoline was more than six times greater than would otherwise be expected.. The dopamine agonist Pergolide, which is also known as Permax, makes valvular regurgitation in people with Parkinson's Disease more than three times more likely. The likelihood of Permax causing valvular regurgitation led to its withdrawal in the U.S. in 2007, but it is still used elsewhere. Other dopamine agonists were not assessed. So it is not known to what extent they are harmful in this respect or if they are harmful at all.