Pramipexole (Systemic)

Brand Names : Mirapex

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pramipexole, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pramipexole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Pramipexole has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that pramipexole may interfere with the pregnancy when the mother is given doses many times higher than the human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pramipexole passes into breast milk. Because of the possibility of serious unwanted effects in the nursing infant, it is important that you discuss the use of this medicine with your doctor if you wish to breast-feed.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of pramipexole in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of pramipexole.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking pramipexole, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Carbidopa and levodopa combination (e.g., Sinemet) or
• Levodopa (e.g., Dopar, Larodopa) - Pramipexole may cause an increase in the side effects of levodopa; your doctor may need to adjust your dosage

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pramipexole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Eye problems, especially with the retina - Animal studies have shown that problems with the retina may occur; it is not certain if this may occur in humans

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) or
• Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
• Postural hypotension (dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position) - Pramipexole may make these conditions worse

• Kidney problems - Higher blood levels of pramipexole may result, and cause an increase in side effects