Piribedil (trade names Pronoran, Trivastal Retard, Trastal, Trivastan, Clarium and others) is an antiparkinsonian agent and piperazine derivative which acts as a D2 and D3 receptor agonist. It also has α2-adrenergic antagonist properties.

Medical uses

Other uses

The drug has been shown to enhance working memory capacities in normal aging adults. In age-related memory impairment, it has a positive effect on psychophysiological state of elderly people, improving memory and attention and increasing the velocity of psychomotor reactions and lability of nervous processes. It enhances cognitive skill learning in healthy older adults. It showed a positive effect in restless legs syndrome.

Side effects

As with other dopamine agonists (like pramipexole and ropinirole), compulsive behavior like pathological gambling, overeating, excessive shopping, increased libido, sexual and/or other intense urges, may develop. Another rare side effect of piribedil is excessive daytime sleepiness and unintended sleep episodes.

Overdose

At very high doses, piribedil has an emetic action on the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). Tablets will thus be rapidly rejected, which explains why no data are currently available concerning the risk of overdosage.

Interactions

Dopamine antagonists reduce the effect of piribedil.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics