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A prospective,randomized,placebo-controlled,double-blind,parallel-group,6- month study assessed the efficacy and safety or ropinirole,a nonergoline D2-dopamine agonist,in patients with early parkinson's disease(n=241; Hoehn&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. |
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