Is it possible to reduce the side effects of dopamine agonists by combining two medicines at lower doses rather than taking one medicine at a higher dose? Are there any studies on this?

There are a few studies on this, which show cautiously positive results, but not enough to provide scientific support. Dopamine agonists are quite similar to one another in their ‘receptor profiles’, i.e. which dopamine receptors they bind to. Consequently, there is no significant difference between taking two different agonists at a low dose compared with taking one of them at a higher dose. The effects and side effects are likely to be quite similar. It is an advantage to take just one type, in case the dose needs to be adjusted.

Dag Nyholm