Details

Pramipexole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease. Pramipexole is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease (stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control). Pramipexole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS). Parkinson's and RLS are two separate disorders. Having one of these conditions will not cause you to have the other condition. To make sure pramipexole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure kidney disease or problems controlling your muscle movements.

Typical Uses

Pramipexole is used alone or with other medications to treat Parkinson's disease. It can improve your ability to move and decrease shakiness (tremor), stiffness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. It may also decrease the number of episodes of not being able to move ("on-off syndrome"). Pramipexole is also used to treat a certain medical condition (restless legs syndrome - RLS) that causes an unusual urge to move the legs. Symptoms usually occur at night along with uncomfortable/unpleasant feelings in the legs. This medication can decrease these symptoms and thereby improve sleep. This medication may also be used for a certain painful condition (fibromyalgia).

Side Effects

Common pramipexole side effects may include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real) extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert tremors, twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements vision problems or unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark coloured urine. Side effects such as confusion or hallucinations may be more likely in older adults. You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions

• Pramipexole+propoxyphene- Using propoxyphene together with pramipexole may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Pramipexole+sodium oxybate- Using sodium oxybate together with pramipexole may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, depression, low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. Occasionally, severe reactions may result in coma and even death. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Pramipexole belongs to a class of medication called non-ergot dopamine agonists. It acts like dopamine which is a natural substance of the body that helps in controlling body movements and thus helps in symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome.

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