Certain health conditions may preclude the use of dopamine stimulators by some patients. These drugs may not be suitable for people with a history of the following:

• Arrhythmia, pericarditis or other heart problems
• Hallucinations, confusion or other psychological disorder
• Pleuritis, pleural effusion or pleural fibrosis
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Toxemia of pregnancy
• Untreated high blood pressure (hypertension)

In addition, dosage levels of dopamine stimulators may have to be adjusted for patients with kidney or liver problems.

Recent studies have shown that two types of dopamine stimulators – pergolide and cabergoline – may increase the risk of heart valve defects in patients taking the medication to treat Parkinson’s disease. Patients who have a history of heart problems or who otherwise have concerns about taking these medications should consult their physician as soon as possible.