On January 4, 2007 several articles and an editorial appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine suggesting an association between high doses of cabergoline or pergolide (dopamine agonist ergot drugs) for Parkinson’s disease treatment and cardiac valve regurgitation.

An article quoting Dr David Kleinberg, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Neuroendocrine Unit also appeared in the New York Times.

Dr. Kleinberg was contacted because of his expertise in the treatment of prolactin secreting pituitary tumors which are routinely treated with cabergoline.

He pointed out that doses of this dopamine agonist were much lower for treatment of hyperprolactinemia treatment than for Parkinson’s disease. As valvular disease caused by these medications is dose related and only those individuals on very high doses developed such problems, it is anticipated that the risk of valvular disease in patients treated for endocrinopathies will be much lower.