Side effects of a dopamine agonist therapy for Parkinson’s disease: a mini-review of clinical pharmacology

Dopamine agonists (DA) are therapeutic agents that are commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). They can reduce undesired motor fluctuations and delay the administration of levodopa therapy. However, this drug family is associated with specific side effects that can significantly diminish the quality of life among PD patients. Some of them impose significant risks for individuals who have a history of cardiovascular diseases, psychosis, and depression, or those older patients who suffer from renal or hepatic insufficiency. Various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations need to be taken into account when administering DA therapy. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of DA therapeutic modalities for PD.