In this Article

• What is pergolide (Permax)?
• What are the possible side effects of pergolide (Permax)?
• What is the most important information I should know about pergolide (Permax)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pergolide (Permax)?
• How should I take pergolide (Permax)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Permax)?
• What happens if I overdose (Permax)?
• What should I avoid while taking pergolide (Permax)?
• What other drugs will affect pergolide (Permax)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pergolide (Permax)?

Do not take pergolide without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to another similar medication such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ercaf, Cafergot) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E, Migranal).

Before taking pergolide, tell your doctor if you have

• lung or breathing problems such as inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis), fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion), or scar tissue in the lungs (pleural fibrosis);
• heart problems such as inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis), fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), heart valve problems, or irregular heartbeats;
• retroperitoneal fibrosis (a chronic inflammatory disease); or
• kidney or liver disease.

You may not be able to take pergolide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Pergolide is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take pergolide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether pergolide passes into breast milk. Do not take pergolide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take pergolide (Permax)?

Take pergolide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

It is important to take pergolide regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking pergolide without first talking to your doctor. Stopping pergolide suddenly may cause potentially dangerous side effects such as elevated body temperature, muscle rigidity, confusion or altered consciousness, and other problems.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with pergolide to monitor progress and side effects.

Store pergolide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.