Reducing dosage of Parkinson's drugs can cause symptoms similar to those of cocaine withdrawal

New research has shown that reducing the dosage of dopamine agonist drugs, a mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease, sometimes causes acute withdrawal symptoms similar to those reported by cocaine addicts, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings. These symptoms can be severe, and are not alleviated by other PD medications. For the first time, researchers have defined this phenomenon, which they call dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, or DAWS.

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