The research used a placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-response method. Seventy-six percent of the sample consisted of males between ages 20 and 48 years; the other 24 percent consisted of females between ages 22 and 48. Eight of the 235 participants noted adverse events, which required breaking of the blind condition of the study. The adverse events occurred at or within 7 days of receiving the first doses of medication. The events included side effects (four cardiovascular and one psychiatric); drug-drug interactions (one); and clinical exclusions (two pregnancies). Two anecdotes of illicit abuse were reported. Findings indicated that although efficacy is not established, pergolide appears to be safe in the early treatment of cocaine dependence except where relative contraindications exist. Case summaries and 17 references (Author abstract modified)