Please note that the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer taking on new cases involving Permax. The content on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

Permax (also known as the generic pergolide) is often used in combination with levodopa and carbidopa to manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which affects nearly 1.5 million people in the United States.

The brain disorder has no cure, but medications can be used to treat symptoms.  Recent studies have confirmed that Permax side effects could lead to heart valve damage, valvular heart disease, heart failure and death.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk previously investigated potential Permax lawsuits for individuals who received the drug and experienced heart valve damage.

PERMAX PROBLEMS

Side effects of Permax increase the risk valvular heart disease, which impairs heart function by causing the heart valve to fail to seal properly.  This could allow blood to flow backwards at the mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves of the heart.  This backflow of blood, known as valve regurgitation, causes additional work for the heart and could result in serious injury or death.

Recent Permax studies demonstrated that between 20% and 23% of all patients taking pergolide suffer damage to the heart valve.  This is over five times the rate of those who did not take the drug.  Symptoms of heart valve problems associated with pergolide side effects include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations

Permax is part of a class of drugs known as dopamine agonist.  Other dopamine agonists include Dostinex (cabergoline), Requip (ropinirole), Mirapex (pramipexole).  While Dostinex has been associated with heart valve problems when used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, it is primarily used for treatment of a hormone condition in the United States.  According to the FDA, the other dopamine agonists side effects are not associated with the heart valve problems and can continue to be used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

>>INFORMATION: Dostinex side effects

PERMAX CLASS ACTION SUITS

Permax lawsuits and class action claims were previously investigated for users who experienced heart valve damage.  The manufacturers failed to properly warn of the problems with pergolide, despite knowledge of the dangers associated with the drug. Claims are being reviewed for users who suffered:

  • Heart valve damage
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Leaky heart valves
  • Heart failure
  • Death

New cases are no longer being accepted by Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.