Permax (Pergolide)

What is Permax?

Pergolide is an ergot medicine.

What is Permax used for?

Pergolide is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It helps improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as tremors, poor muscle control, spasm, unsteadiness and stiffness.

How does Permax work?

Pergolide works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances, called dopamine, in the brain.

How to use Permax

You should follow your doctor’s instructions wisely. It is recommended to take each dose with full glass of water. It is also suggested to take the medicine for a full prescription time to get the best results. Daily dosage is divided into 3-4 doses per day (as directed by the doctor).

Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day. You should not stop taking the medicine without doctor’s advice because it may lead to various side effects that may cause health related problems.

Permax warnings and precautions

Always consult your doctor before taking Pergolide, if you have any allergy from similar medication such as ergotamine or dihydroergotamine. Also, before taking the medicine, make your doctor aware if you are suffering from any kind of breathing problem, heart problems, a chronic inflammatory disease like retroperitoneal fibrosis, or kidney or liver disease.

Avoid performing activities that require attention like driving or using machinery after taking your Pergolide dose. Pergolide may lead to low blood pressure or drowsiness which may cause dizziness while rising from sitting or lying position. You need to be really cautious before stopping the intake of Pergolide because sudden stopping of this medicine can cause side effects like increase in body temperature, muscle stiffness, confusion and altered consciousness. Therefore, you should always consult the doctor before stopping this medicine.

Although Pergolide is unlikely to cause harm to a fetus, pregnant women should consult their doctors first about whether to take it or not. Lactating women too are advised to not take Pergolide without consulting their doctors, as it is not known whether the drug passes into breast milk or if it may affect a nursing baby.

What do I do if I have missed a Permax dose?

If you have missed a Pergolide dose then have the medicine as soon as you remember it. If it is nearly the same time of your next dose then take your usual scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.

What do I do if I have taken a Permax overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Pergolide, you should seek for urgent medical help right away.

Permax interactions

Before taking Pergolide always let your doctor know about all your prior medicines and ongoing medicines. Some drugs can interact with Pergolide if taken in tandem with it, for example, haloperidol, thiothixene, metoclopramide or a phenothiazine.

Permax side effects

Pergolide causes various side effects some of them are trivial whereas some of them are major side effects of Pergolide. You need to consult your doctor looking at the severity of the problem.

Few of the minor side effects from Pergolide are constipation, drowsiness, dryness of mouth, anxiety, loss of appetite, running nose, stomach pain or stomach upset, lightheadedness and difficulty in sleeping.

You ought to visit your doctor if you have severe side effects like chest pain, fainting, leg or foot swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, severe rashes, swelling of mouth, face, lips tongue or any other allergic reaction.