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In the older patient with Parkinson's disease, dopamine agonists are often underused because of a perceived notion of poor tolerability secondary to side effects. Cabergoline is an ergot dopamine agonist with the longest half-life of its class, and, therefore, effective given once daily. This contrasts with most other dopamine agonists, which require initial dose titration, and multiple doses throughout the day. In this UK-based, retrospective case survey involving 4 tertiary referral Movement Disorder Centers, we report on the tolerability profile of cabergoline used as adjunctive therapy or monotherapy in 331 patients with Parkinson's disease (based on a previously published criteria). Cabergoline was well-tolerated across all age groups, particularly in older patients, with an acceptable side-effect profile and sustained clinical benefit. In particular there were no flagged cases with serosal fibrosis reported from this patient base. This study indicates that there is a role for the use of dopamine agonists amongst older people. This study indicates that there is a role for the use of dopamine agonists in older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]