Pramipexole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Pramipexole What Drug?

What is pramipexole for?

Pramipexole is a drug that is used alone or with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. This medication can improve your ability to move and reduce shaking (tremors), stiffness, slow motion, and imbalance. This medication can also decrease the number of events you become immobile ("on-off syndrome").

This medication is also used to treat certain medical conditions such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), which causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs. Symptoms usually occur at night along with unpleasant or uncomfortable feelings in the legs. This medicine can reduce these symptoms so that it can improve sleep quality.

Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist that works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (dopamine) in the brain.

How do I use pramipexole?

Read the information on the patient leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking pramipexole and each time you get a medicine refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Using this medication with food may reduce nausea. To reduce the risk of side effects (eg, drowsiness, low blood pressure) when you first start taking pramipexole, your doctor will slowly increase your dose until the best dose for you is reached. Take this medication as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than the recommended dose.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. You need to remember to take the medicine at the same time every day.

If you stop taking this medication for a few days, you may need to increase your dose slowly to get back to the previous dose. Talk with your doctor about how to repeat the process of using the drug. Don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval. Although it is very rare, if you suddenly stop taking this medicine, a withdrawal reaction is possible. These reactions can include fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Immediately report any such reactions to your doctor. If you have Parkinson's disease and are about to stop regular treatment with this medicine, gradually reducing the dose as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

It may take several weeks to feel the benefits of using this medication. Tell your doctor if symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

How do I store pramipexole?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Pramipexole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the pramipexole dosage for adults?

Normal Dosage for Adults with Parkinson's Disease

Pramipexole immediate release:

Starting dose: 0.125 mg once or twice a day with or without food.

Maintenance dose: The dose should be titrated gradually for the desired clinical effect. Generally, the dose can be increased every 5 to 7 days based on efficacy and tolerability, to a maximum of 4.5 mg / day (given as 1.5 mg three times daily). The efficacy of doses beyond 4.5 mg / day has not been established.

Pramipexole extended release:

Initial dose: 0.375 mg once daily with or without food.

Maintenance dose: The dose should be titrated gradually for the desired clinical effect. Generally, the dosage can be increased every 5 to 7 days based on efficacy and tolerability, first being 0.75 mg per day and then by 0.75 mg increments up to the maximum recommended dose of 4.5 mg per day. The efficacy of doses beyond 4.5 mg / day has yet to be determined

Normal Dosage for Adults with Restless Legs Syndrome

Pramipexole immediate release:

Starting dose: 0.125 mg orally once a day 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. If needed, the dose can be titrated upwards in increments of 0.125 mg every 4 to 7 days.

Maintenance dose: 0.5 mg per drink once a day 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

Pramipexole extended release is not indicated for Restless Legs Syndrome.

What is the pramipexole dosage for children?

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (less than 18 years) have not been determined.

In what dosage is pramipexole available?

Tablet: 0.125 mg; 0.25 mg; 0.5 mg; 0.75 mg; 1 mg; 1.5 mg

Pramipexole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to pramipexole?

Seek emergency medical help if you have any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pramipexole and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after hearing a warning
• nausea, sweating, feeling dizzy, fainting
• hallucinations
• muscle aches, pressure, or fatigue with fever or flu symptoms and dark urine
• chest pain, cough with white or pink phlegm (mucus), wheezing
• feeling of shortness of breath (even with light exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain
• feeling weak or tired, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• tremor, twitching or uncontrollable movement of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dry mouth, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation
• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation
• mild drowsiness
• swelling in the hands or feet
• changes in appetite or weight
• blurred vision
• sleep problems (insomnia), unusual dreams
• amnesia, forgetting, thinking about problems or
• impotence, loss of sexual desire, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Pramipexole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using pramipexole?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

There are no precise studies on the relationship between age and the effects of pramipexole in the pediatric population. Its safety and efficacy are uncertain.

Elderly

There have been no precise studies to date on a specific problem in the elderly that will limit the use of pramipexole in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to experience hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), which may require caution in patients taking pramipexole.

Is pramipexole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug falls into the pregnancy risk category _ according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Pramipexole Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with pramipexole?

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Cimetidine
• Kava

Can food or alcohol interact with pramipexole?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with pramipexole?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• dyskinesia (problems with muscle control)
• hallucinations
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• postural hypotension (body lightness or fainting when waking up suddenly from a lying or sitting position) - use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Kidney disease - use with caution. Side effects may increase due to slower removal of the drug from the body.
• sleep disorders
• drowsiness - may cause side effects to be worse.

Pramipexole overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.