Adverse drug reactions to dopamine agonists: a comparative study in the French Pharmacovigilance Database.

Pharmacodynamical differences between dopamine agonists (DAs) suggest differences in their adverse drug reactions (ADRs) profile. In this study, frequencies of ADR to DAs or levodopa reports in the French Pharmacovigilance Database were explored. Reports occurring between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 2008 were selected (2,189 for DAs and 1,315 for levodopa). The numbers of ADRs by system organ class were compared using ropinirole as a reference. Diurnal somnolence was less frequently reported with all DAs when compared with ropinirole (P < 0.001). Impulse control disorders (ICDs) were more frequently reported with pramipexole (P < 0.001). Significant difference was found among DAs in the frequency of confusion or disorientation (P < 0.001), nausea and vomiting (P < 0.05), or edemas (P < 0.001). No difference among DAs was observed in the frequency of hallucination or arterial hypotension ADR reports (P = 0.3 and P = 0.1). Pleural effusions were more frequently reported with pergolide or bromocriptine (P < 0.001). Somnolence or ICD reports were less frequent with levodopa, whereas confusion was more frequently reported. In summary, our data show significant differences in the kind of ADRs reported for each DA.