This article describes possible side effects of pramipexole oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about pramipexole, including the drug’s uses, dosages, and more.
Pramipexole oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Pramipexole also comes in an extended-release tablet that you’ll swallow, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of pramipexole
Pramipexole oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of pramipexole oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in people taking pramipexole oral tablet for Parkinson’s disease include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- constipation
More common side effects reported in people taking pramipexole oral tablet for RLS include:
- nausea
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- headache
Mild side effects of pramipexole
Pramipexole may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects reported with pramipexole oral tablet include:
- appetite loss
- constipation
- decreased libido (sex drive)
- decreased sense of touch
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- headache
- insomnia
- memory problems
- muscle weakness
- nausea
- urinating more often
- weakness
- mild allergic reaction*
* An allergic reaction is possible with pramipexole oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of pramipexole in detail” section below.
Pramipexole oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of pramipexole
Pramipexole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from pramipexole oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with pramipexole.
Serious side effects reported with pramipexole oral tablet include:
- severe drowsiness and falling asleep during daily activities, including driving
- hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there)
- orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when sitting or standing), which can lead to falls and other injuries
- withdrawal symptoms when treatment is stopped
- unusual behaviors and thoughts*
- new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors*
- unusual involuntary movements*
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of pramipexole in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with pramipexole oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
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Get free cardCommon questions about side effects of pramipexole
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of pramipexole oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does pramipexole cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases pramipexole oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with pramipexole oral tablet include:
- withdrawal symptoms when treatment is stopped
- severe drowsiness and falling asleep during daily activities, including driving
- unusual behaviors and thoughts*
- new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors*
- unusual involuntary movements*
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of pramipexole may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of pramipexole in detail” section below.
Is weight gain a side effect of pramipexole?
It’s not likely. In fact, decreased weight and appetite loss were reported side effects in studies of pramipexole.
However, after pramipexole was approved for use, there have been a few reports of increased weight in people taking the drug. But since these reports happened outside controlled studies, it’s possible that other factors caused increased weight rather than pramipexole.
Also, it’s possible for other side effects of pramipexole to cause weight gain. Specifically, pramipexole can cause new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors. This can include binge eating, which may lead to weight gain. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects in detail” section below.
If you have questions about weight gain and pramipexole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects of pramipexole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of pramipexole oral tablet.
Unusual behaviors and thoughts
In studies, unusual behaviors and thoughts were rare in people taking pramipexole oral tablet. However, this side effect may be serious.
Examples of unusual behaviors or thinking reported with pramipexole include:
- aggressiveness or agitation
- confusion
- delirium (sudden change in the brain that causes confusion)
- delusions (beliefs that aren’t based in reality)
- paranoia (irrational mistrust or suspicion in others)
- new or worsening psychosis (loss of contact with reality) or mania (periods of unusual excitement or high energy)
Certain factors can increase the risk of unusual behaviors and thoughts with pramipexole oral tablet. These include having certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of unusual behaviors and thoughts, immediately tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with pramipexole.
New or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors
In studies, new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors were rare in people taking pramipexole oral tablet. But this side effect may be serious.
New or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors reported with pramipexole include:
- urges to gamble
- sexual urges
- urges to spend large amounts of money very quickly
- binge eating
Certain factors can increase the risk of new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors with pramipexole oral tablet. These include having an existing risk of these behaviors, such as binge eating disorder.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of new or worsened impulsive or compulsive behaviors, tell your doctor. They’ll likely decrease your pramipexole dosage, or have you stop taking the medication.
Unusual involuntary movements
In studies, unusual and involuntary movements were rare in people taking pramipexole oral tablet. However, this side effect may be serious.
Unusual and involuntary movements reported with pramipexole include:
- Akathisia: With akathisia, you feel restless and have an urgent need to move. Symptoms can include pacing, rocking back and forth, and walking in place.
- Dyskinesia: With dyskinesia, you have uncontrolled, sudden movements. Symptoms can include swaying your body, twitching, and bobbing your head.
- Involuntary changes to your posture: With this side effect, your posture changes and you’re unable to control it. Symptoms can include tilting sideways when walking, sitting, or standing, and a forward bend at the neck or waist.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of unusual and involuntary movements, tell your doctor. They’ll likely decrease your pramipexole dosage, or have you stop taking the medication.
Allergic reaction
For some people, pramipexole oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. But it has happened since pramipexole was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to pramipexole oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for pramipexole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking pramipexole oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take pramipexole oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether pramipexole oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking pramipexole oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- difficulties with urge management, such as urges to gamble or binge-eat
- certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
- muscle movement disorders, such as dyskinesia caused by another medication
- taking an antipsychotic medication, such as thioridazine
- past allergic reaction to pramipexole
Pramipexole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether pramipexole oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Pramipexole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether pramipexole oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Pramipexole and alcohol
Pramipexole oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol while taking pramipexole raises the risk of drowsiness as a side effect of pramipexole. This includes an increased risk of severe drowsiness and falling asleep during daily activities.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with pramipexole oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of pramipexole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What other treatments are available for my condition, and how do their side effects compare with those of pramipexole?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than others, based on my health history and the medications I take?
- Is the risk of unusual behaviors and thoughts higher at the start of treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.