Pramipexole, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nonergot dopamine agonist; anti-Parkinson's

Generic and brand names: pramipexole, oral; Mirapex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS). It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a sleep disorder
• kidney disease
• low blood pressure

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes along with any other medicine prescribe to treat your condition. Your healthcare provider may gradually increase your dosage to find the amount that is best for you. Follow your healthcare provider's directions carefully.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there). Older adults are more at risk for this reaction.

You may become dizzy or nauseated, feel faint, or start to sweat when you get up quickly from a sitting or lying position. Getting up slowly may help. This may happen more often when you first start taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause you to fall asleep suddenly without warning during daily activities, including driving a car, eating, or talking. This may occur even after you have been taking the medicine for several months. Contact your healthcare provider if the drowsiness continues or becomes severe.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fainting spells or blackouts; constant drowsiness or dizziness; hallucinations; fever; muscle stiffness; unusual muscle spasms of the face, mouth, or neck; problems with balance or walking; swelling of arms, feet, hands, or legs; trouble breathing.

Other: Weakness, dry mouth, abnormal dreams, trouble sleeping, nausea, confusion, constipation.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), triazolam (Halcion), temazepam (Restoril), and flurazepam (Dalmane)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• heart medicines such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), quinidine, and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
• heartburn medicines such as cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac)
• herbs with sedative effects such as kava, SAMe, St. John's wort, gotu kola, and valerian
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), tizanidine (Zanaflex), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic analgesics (pain killers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), morphine (MS Contin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), pentazocine (Talwin), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic), methadone (Dolophine), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• phenothiazines such as prochlorperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), promethazine (Phenergan), thiothixene (Navane), thioridazine, and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• quinine
• sleep medicines such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and chloral hydrate
• triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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