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Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist used in Parkinson’s disease that helps restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain. This is supplied as tablets for oral use. This product is available in the dosage forms of 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 1.5 mg. Pramipexole is a prescription already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What condition does Pramipexole treat?
Pramipexole is a prescription used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This helps improve your ability to move and can lessen shakiness or tremor. It also decreases slowed movement, stiffness, and unsteadiness. Pramipexole can as well reduce the number of episodes of not being able to move.
This medication may also be used for the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS causes a strong urge to move your legs because of an uncomfortable feeling. It typically occurs in nighttime hours when you are lying or sitting down. Moving eases the uncomfortable feeling briefly. The chief symptom is an urge to move the legs.
How does Pramipexole work?
Pramipexole works by replicating the movement of a substance in the brain called dopamine. It is involved in spreading messages among nerves. These messages permit the regular functioning of the body. Dopamine is known to be absent in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. This is believed to be the cause of symptoms of the disease. Dopamine usually communicates by stimulating particular receptor sites in the brain. This medicine stimulates these same receptor sites. This produces the same effects as dopamine and acts as a dopamine substitute. In this way, Pramipexole helps to restore the dopamine activity in the brain. As a result, it helps decrease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
What is the dosage of Pramipexole?
Take this medication only as directed by your doctor. Do not use it for a longer time, more often, or more of it than your doctor ordered. The dose will be different for different people. If your dose is different, do not change it unless it is prescribed by your doctor.
Each dose of this medication can be taken with or without food. Taking this medicine with food may lessen nausea. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water.
For Parkinson’s disease:
- The starting dose for adults is 0.125 mg to be taken once a day, 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. The dosage is usually not more than 0.5 mg each day.
For RLS:
- The starting dose for adults is also 0.125 mg to be taken once a day, 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. In children, the dose and use must be determined by the doctor.
Take your medication at the same time each day. Carefully follow the prescription label and inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication including prescription or non-prescription.
What are the precautions in using Pramipexole?
- Before using Pramipexole, let your doctor know if you had any medical history especially of heart problems, low blood pressure, and kidney problems.
- In people with heart disease, it is recommended to have their blood pressure monitored during treatment with this medication. Particularly, it is at the start due to the risk of drops in blood pressure.
- You should exercise caution when driving or performing any activities. This drug may cause dizziness or sleepiness.
- Caution should also be observed when taking other medicines that cause drowsiness or drinking alcohol, as this might increase the risk of drowsiness.
- Consult your doctor if you have any disturbances in your vision while taking Pramipexole.
- Use this medication with caution in people with psychotic illness, decreased kidney function, and severe disease involving the heart and blood vessels.
- This should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been well-known in children and adolescents less than 18 years old. Consult your doctor first before taking this medication.
- If you have an allergic reaction to this drug before, do not use it anymore and inform your doctor. This may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
- Do not share this or any of your medications with others even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
