Pramipexole, Pramipexole ER
Generic Mirapex ER
Pramipexole (pra mi PEKS ole) is a generic medication prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Pramipexole belongs to a group of drugs called dopamine agonists.
Pramipexole (pra mi PEKS ole) is a generic medication prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Pramipexole belongs to a group of drugs called dopamine agonists.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • .25mg
- • 30 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Skyler Todd, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 18, 2023
Pramipexole (pra mi PEKS ole) is a generic medication prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome. Pramipexole belongs to a group of drugs called dopamine agonists.
Pramipexole is prescribed for adults. It’s available in two kinds of oral tablets: an immediate-release (IR)* tablet and an extended-release (ER)† tablet. The form your doctor prescribes for you may depend on the condition you’re taking Pramipexole to treat.
This article provides coupons for the IR tablet. To find coupons for the ER tablet, see this article.
* “IR” means the drug is released into your body right away. This is the standard tablet and is usually referred to simply as an “oral tablet.”
† “ER” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
Side effects
Side effects of pramipexole
Pramipexole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of pramipexole and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about pramipexole’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for pramipexole listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of pramipexole are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of pramipexole you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about pramipexole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for pramipexole listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Pramipexole oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- feeling tired
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- mild allergic reaction*
Pramipexole extended-release (ER)† oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- feeling tired
- nausea
- constipation
- dizziness
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for pramipexole” section.
† “ER” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time. This is in contrast to the oral tablet that’s an “immediate-release (IR)” form of the drug. With IR, the drug is released into your body right away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of pramipexole are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of pramipexole you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about pramipexole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for pramipexole listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, pramipexole’s serious side effects include:
- dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements)
- extrapyramidal syndrome (tremors, muscle spasms, or jerky movements)
- hallucinations
- low blood pressure when standing up
- muscle pain or weakness
- postural changes, such as continuously bending forward at your neck or waist
- vision changes
- amnesia (memory loss)
- confusion, unusual behavior, or psychosis
- unusual dreams
- sleep attacks, where a person falls asleep suddenly
- changes in your walking pattern
- intense urges and an inability to control them, including binge eating, gambling, and spending money
- withdrawal symptoms when pramipexole treatment is stopped
- severe allergic reaction*
For more details, see the “Common questions about pramipexole” section.
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for pramipexole” section.
Uses
Uses of pramipexole
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as pramipexole for certain conditions. Approved uses for pramipexole are described below. These uses differ based on the form of pramipexole prescribed.
Use for restless leg syndrome
Doctors may prescribe pramipexole oral tablet for restless leg syndrome (RLS). It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With RLS, you experience a strong urge to move one or both legs, especially at night and when you’re relaxing. You may also feel unpleasant sensations in one or both legs. Pramipexole may help reduce these symptoms.
Use for Parkinson’s disease
Doctors may prescribe pramipexole for treating Parkinson’s disease. The oral tablets or extended-release (ER)* oral tablets can be used for this purpose in adults. Pramipexole is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic (brain and nerve) disorder that causes symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement, and poor balance. Pramipexole may help reduce these symptoms.
* “ER” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
FAQs
Common questions about pramipexole
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about pramipexole.
How does pramipexole work? And how long does it take to start working?
Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist. It’s thought to act in your body the way dopamine does. (Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain that’s important for controlling movement.)
If you’re taking the oral tablet, pramipexole starts working within 2 hours. And if you’re taking the extended-release (ER)* tablet, pramipexole starts working in about 6 hours. But it may take a few weeks to notice a difference in your symptoms.
If you’d like to know more about how pramipexole works or when you can expect to see its effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* “ER” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
Can pramipexole cause long-term side effects?
Yes, pramipexole may cause long-term side effects. The risk of certain side effects differs depending on the form of pramipexole you take.
Some long-term side effects that have been reported after starting treatment with pramipexole include:
- postural changes, such as continuously bending forward at your neck or waist
- intense urges and an inability to control them, including binge eating, gambling, and spending money
Talk with your doctor to learn more about the risk of possible long-term side effects from pramipexole.
Does stopping pramipexole cause certain side effects?
Yes, if you suddenly lower your dosage or stop taking pramipexole, you may experience certain side effects. These are called withdrawal symptoms, which can occur once your body has become used to taking pramipexole.
Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), depression, sweating, and fatigue (low energy).
Because of this, any changes in your dosage should be discussed with your doctor first. If you and your doctor decide to stop or lower your dosage of pramipexole, it can be done safely under the supervision of your doctor.
Is pramipexole similar to gabapentin?
Pramipexole and gabapentin are different kinds of drugs. But they may help treat similar conditions.
Pramipexole and gabapentin work in different ways. Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist. It acts like dopamine in the brain. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant. It decreases nerve cell activity in the brain.
Both pramipexole and the brand-name drug Horizant (gabapentin) are approved to treat restless leg syndrome (RLS). But the generic drug gabapentin is not approved to treat RLS or Parkinson’s disease.
Your doctor may still choose to prescribe gabapentin off-label for these uses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you’d like to learn more about gabapentin for Parkinson’s disease or RLS, talk with your doctor.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for pramipexole
Interactions of pramipexole
Below, you’ll find information about pramipexole’s possible interactions and warnings.
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take pramipexole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for pramipexole” section below.
Warnings for pramipexole
Some people should not take pramipexole, and others should take it cautiously.
Pramipexole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether pramipexole is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of pramipexole you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for pramipexole, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Pramipexole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to pramipexole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe pramipexole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to pramipexole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of pramipexole
You should not take more pramipexole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much pramipexole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and pramipexole
Information about pramipexole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Pramipexole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether pramipexole 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 should be taken while breastfeeding. But there’s concern that pramipexole may interfere with milk production. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about pramipexole or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do higher doses of pramipexole cause more side effects?
- Are there medications with fewer side effects that can treat my condition?
- How do I take pramipexole?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/60167d7c-469f-455a-a113-561841af5e59/spl-doc
- Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablet, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e18b67b6-a085-43e5-bb2b-fe74fa00cb65/spl-doc
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.
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