Pergolide: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Veterinary drug

Also known as

Prascend, Pergolide mesylate

Species with doses

Horses

General dose range

0.002–0.01 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Equine PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction / equine Cushing's) — control of clinical signs
• Reduction of PPID-associated laminitis risk, hirsutism, PU/PD, muscle wasting

Pergolide dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Horses

• PPID (equine Cushing's): Papich 5e: start 2 µg/kg PO q24h (1 mg/day for a 500 kg horse), adjust by 1 µg/kg steps up to 4 µg/kg/day; 10 µg/kg/day has been used in some horses. Plumb’s p.957: 1 mg per horse daily (Frank); 1.7–5.5 µg/kg (Messer); raise by 2 µg/kg monthly to 6 µg/kg if the response is poor (Schott). If anorexia or dullness develops, stop for 2 days and restart at 0.25 mg/day, increasing every 2 days.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to ergot derivatives. Caution in horses with reduced appetite (the main side effect is anorexia — start low/titrate). Not for the (rare) cases needing other endocrine work-up first. Handle tablets with care (avoid breaking/crushing; wash hands).

Species-specific warnings

Horses: Anorexia is the main side effect — introduce gradually. Avoid concurrent dopamine antagonists (acepromazine, metoclopramide) which negate the drug.

Adverse effects

• Transient ANOREXIA / reduced appetite (the commonest effect — start low and titrate)
• Mild lethargy, transient behavioural change/diarrhoea
• Occasional colic signs
• Rare: more pronounced effects at higher doses

Drug interactions

• Dopamine antagonists (phenothiazines, e.g. acepromazine; metoclopramide): antagonise the therapeutic effect — avoid
• Other dopaminergic drugs: additive effects
• No major other interactions at label use

Pregnancy and lactation

Dopamine agonists suppress prolactin and may affect late-pregnancy/lactation; use in pregnant/lactating mares only if clearly needed (it can reduce milk production).

Monitoring

• Clinical response (haircoat shedding, PU/PD, laminitis, muscle mass, attitude)
• Endocrine testing — basal ACTH (± TRH-stimulation test), typically rechecked ~1–3 months after starting/dose changes and then periodically (account for seasonal ACTH variation)
• Appetite (the key tolerability marker) — titrate accordingly
• Laminitis status / foot care

Toxicity and overdose

Generally well tolerated; overdose intensifies dopaminergic effects — anorexia, depression, ataxia, sweating, colic, and potentially hypotension. The dose-limiting clinical effect at therapeutic levels is anorexia, managed by dose titration.

Management: No specific antidote. Supportive care; a dopamine ANTAGONIST (e.g. metoclopramide) can be used to counter significant overdose effects. Manage anorexia by withholding then restarting at a lower dose. Supportive/symptomatic care for colic/CNS signs.

Clinical pearls

• THE treatment for equine PPID (Cushing's) — restores the dopamine "brake" on an over-active pars intermedia; lifelong once-daily therapy
• Start low and titrate — transient ANOREXIA is the classic early effect; if appetite drops, pause and restart lower
• Monitor with ACTH (± TRH stimulation), remembering the autumn seasonal ACTH rise when interpreting results
• Avoid dopamine antagonists (acepromazine, metoclopramide) — they oppose its action
• Controlling PPID reduces the dangerous laminitis risk — pair drug therapy with diet/foot management

Mechanism of action

A dopamine D2 (and D1) receptor agonist. In PPID, the dopaminergic neurons that normally inhibit the pituitary pars intermedia degenerate, so the pars intermedia over-secretes ACTH and other POMC-derived peptides. Pergolide replaces this lost dopaminergic inhibition, suppressing the pars intermedia's hormone output and thereby controlling the downstream cortisol/clinical effects of the disease.

Formulations and products

• 1 mg tablet (Prascend)
• Prascend (Boehringer Ingelheim) — 1 mg tablet, Tablet

Storage

Tablets: 15–30 °C, protect from light/moisture; handle whole (avoid crushing — dopaminergic compound), wash hands after handling.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other hormones, emergency drugs, supplements and other drugs

• Oral Iron + B12 + Folic Acid (Feritas / Ferikind)
• Oxytocin
• Penicillamine (D-Penicillamine)
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
• Phytonadione (Vitamin K1)
• PMSG / eCG (Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin)
• Potassium Bromide (KBr)

Frequently asked questions