OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dopaminergic agonist pergolide in the treatment of cocaine craving. METHODS: Forty-two men, aged between 18 and 50 years, with diagnosis of cocaine dependence according the DSM-IV criteria, and who have at least completed elementary school were assigned for a four week, single-blind, placebo controlled study in an outpatient setting. Patients with disorders that required inpatient treatment, taking psychiatric medication, referring previous psychotic disorders without cocaine use, and with history of pergolide hypersensitivity were excluded. The patients were divided in two groups: the first one received pergolide (0.05-0.2 mg per day) and the second one received placebo (1-4 tablets per day). The groups were compared for differences in cocaine craving and side effects of the medications. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups regarding the incidence of side effects and reduction of cocaine craving. CONCLUSION: The small sample size and the short period of medication use could have contributed to the findings. Pergolide use proved to be safe with low incidence of side effects. Pergolide was not superior to placebo in the treatment of cocaine craving.
Cocaine; Withdrawal symptoms; Dopaminergic agonists; Pergolide
