Dopamine agonist

A dopamine agonist (DA) is a compound that activates dopamine receptors. There are two families of dopamine receptors, D₁-like and D₂-like. They are all G protein-coupled receptors. D₁- and D₅-receptors belong to the D₁-like family and the D₂-like family includes D₂, D₃ and D₄ receptors. Dopamine agonists are primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and to a lesser extent, in hyperprolactinemia and restless legs syndrome. They are also used off-label in the treatment of clinical depression. The use of dopamine agonists is associated with impulse control disorders and dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS).