Use of Dopamine Agonist Pergolide in Outpatient Treatment of Cocaine Dependence

Abstract

The dopamine agonist pergolide was evaluated in the treatment of 42 men who manifested cocaine dependence in a single-blind, 4-week-long placebo-controlled study, during 1998–1999 in São Paulo, Brazil. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group received pergolide (0.05–0.2 mg per day) and the second group received placebo (one to four tablets per day). Urine toxicology screens were obtained. The groups were compared in terms of depressive symptoms, “craving,” use of cocaine, side effects of medications, results of urine tests, and retention in treatment. At 3 months' follow-up, the participants were reassessed. No differences were found between the two groups.

Keywords:

• cocaine
• “craving”
• dopaminergic
• agonist
• pergolide

Additional information

Notes on contributors

G. R. A. Focchi

Guilherme R. A. Focchi, MD, works with cocaine dependence, and has published articles about this issue in his country. He is supervisor in the Interdisciplinary Group of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), São Paulo, Brazil.

M. C. Leite

Marcos C. Leite, MD, PhD, is coordinator of the Psychiatric Residence program in the Medical School, Fundaçaõdo ABC, Santo André, Brazil.

A. G. Andrade

Arthur G. Andrade, MD, PhD, has published various articles on chemical dependence and was the former coordinator of interdisciplinary Group of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), São Paulo, Brazil. He is Full Professor of Psychiatry in the Medical School, Fundaçaõ do ABC, Santo André, Brazil, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Medical School of University of São Paulo.

S. Scivoletto

Sandra Scivoletto, MD, PhD, works with drug dependence in children and adolescents and is Professor in Post-Graduation Course in Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo. She is the general coordinator of Interdisciplinary Group of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), São Paulo, Brazil.