Favorable Trial has Pergolide on Path to FDA Approval
horsetalk.co.nz
June 19, 2010

A trial assessing pergolide in the treatment of Equine Cushing's disease has produced favorable results and its approval in the United States for combating the disorder is anticipated early in 2011.

Results from the trial have gone to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the bid to get the drug approved.

Equine Cushing's disease - also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID - is one of the more common diseases of horses older than 15 years. In horses with the condition, the middle lobe of the pituitary gland becomes enlarged over time and results in overproduction of hormones.

The most classic symptom is a long, curly coat that does not shed properly.
Other symptoms:

• excessive drinking and urination,
• laminitis,
• lethargy,
• excessive sweating,
• muscle mass loss,
• repeated infections, such as sole abscesses, tooth-root infections and sinusitis.

Pergolide, which was an FDA-approved medication for people with Parkinson's disease, was withdrawn in 2007 from the US market. Several studies had revealed a link between the drug and heart valve problems in people with Parkinson's.