Permax (pergolide)

FDA HEALTH ALERT: March 29, 2007.

The FDA has announced that the companies that distribute and manufacture of pergolide will remove the drug from the market because of the potential for heart valve damage.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease who are taking pergolide should:

• Contact their healthcare professional to discuss alternate treatment options. 
• NOT stoptaking Pergolide without consulting their healthcare professional, since stopping pergolide too quickly can be dangerous and several other effective treatments are available

This FDA Alert is available online at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/pergolide.htm

Permax is the brand name used for the generic drug Pergolide, and this medication was formulated and has been prescribed for patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Permax is not a cure for Parkinson's Disease, but it has shown effectiveness in regards to minimizing the seizures and uncontrollable shaking often associated with the disease. Most often, Permax is used in conjunction with levodopa, as the combination of these two substances has shown to work well and minimize the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

Side Effects

The side effects that have been reported as a result of using Permax are wide-ranging in nature, and the seriousness of these side effects can be relatively minor or carry the utmost in severity. Below you'll find a list of common side effects, and if you experience any of them, or you are experiencing a potential side effect not present below, the first thing you need to do is contact your doctor immediately.

Reported Side Effects:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth
• Trouble moving or walking
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Severe muscle stiffness

Important Consumer Warnings

Although several side effects associated with Permax are listed above, the most serious side effects have gotten the attention of the FDA. In 2003, the drug manufacturer discovered that Permax had the potential to cause patients to fall asleep immediately and without notice. As a result, two things happened:

• Eli Lilly & Co. circulated a letter to medical professionals warning them of this side effect;
• The FDA worked with the manufacturer to change the warning labels.

The FDA's Web site also detailed another potentially-debilitating side effect, in that rare cases have shown that Permax can lead to the inflammation of a patient's heart valves, which can have serious and long-ranging consequences on any patient.

Your Next Step

If you have suffered or are suffering from any potential side effects from the use of Permax, the first thing you need to do, as explained above, is contact your doctor. Your next step should be to contact an experienced attorney, as you could possibly have a valid claim against the manufacturer. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation and to explain your rights, and he or she will guide you through this complicated process. Contact an attorney today to assert your rights.

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