Parkinson's Drug Pulled Due to Heart Damage

Mar 30, 01:27 PM

Current Headlines: WASHINGTON (AP) -- A drug used by several thousand patients with Parkinson's disease is being pulled from the market because of reports of heart-valve damage.

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that pergolide, sold under the name Permax and also in generic versions, is being withdrawn at the agency's request.

There are other drugs in the same class that can be substituted, Dr. Robert Temple of the FDA's office of drug evaluation said at a briefing.

At least 14 patients have needed to have heart valves replaced, Temple said, adding he believes that is an underestimate.

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