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In 2003, Eli Lilly and Company, which makes the Parkinson's disease medication Permax (pergolide), released results from its "post-marketing surveillance" that revealed heart valve damage in a small number of patients. Subsequently, the FDA required Eli Lilly to carry the strongest warning label, the "black box," about the increased risk on the Permax label. The warnings appear at the top of prescribing information and include the statement that deaths have been associated with the drug.

A study released by The New England Journal of Medicine in January 2007 showed that patients taking Permax have significantly higher risk of heart valve damage than if they had not chosen this form of therapy. The damage to the heart valve can lead to heart failure and sudden death. The study was conducted through more than 11,000 records of Parkinson's disease patients in Britain. Patients taking Permax were seven times more likely to suffer from heart valve damage than the control group.

Parkinson's disease is a complex neurological disorder first described as "the shaking palsy." Permax was approved by the FDA in December 1988. If you think you have suffered any problems resulting from the use of Permax, please obtain a Free Consultation by submitting our online form, or by calling 866-273-1941.

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