Permax | Parkinson's Disease

Manufactured by Eli Lilly and distributed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Permax (generic name: Pergolide) is a dopamine receptor used to treat Parkinson's disease. On March 29th, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that the drug be completely withdrawn from the market due to its connection with heart valve problems. The FDA published the following statement:

"Two recent New England Journal of Medicine studies confirm previous findings associating pergolide with increased chance of regurgitation (backflow of blood) of the mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valves of the heart. Valve regurgitation is a condition in which valves don't close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward across the valve. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and heart palpitations."

The primary concern for the Permax withdrawal was permanent heart valve damage. This serious condition can cause leakage, backflow of blood and heart failure; it is only treatable through surgery. Studies suggest that 25% of patients who've used Permax have had heart valve problems. Another study found that Permax patients were between five and seven times more likely to experience leaky heart valves than patients on other Parkinson's drugs.

The most serious signs of possible heart valve damage caused by Permax are:

• Fatigue
• Heart Palpitations
• Shortness Of Breath

The most common side effects associated with Permax use are:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Runny noses
• Sleepiness
• Spasms

If you or someone you care about has taken Permax and is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, please fill out our Case Review Contact Form to the right on this page to find out what your case is worth. To find out more about other cases we handle, select another case type on your left.