What is pramipexole (oral)?
Pramipexole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs
naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.
Pramipexole is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors,
muscle spasms, and poor muscle control. Pramipexole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome
(RLS).
Pramipexole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pramipexole (oral)?
Some people taking pramipexole have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as
working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your
doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this
medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pramipexole.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before you take pramipexole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
intense urges while taking pramipexole. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect.
Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking pramipexole.
Some people using medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma).
However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing
melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You
may need to have regular skin exams.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before you take pramipexole, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
Pramipexole may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Pramipexole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is
not there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you have hallucinations.
How should I take pramipexole (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results from this medication.
The dose and timing of pramipexole in treating Parkinson's disease is different from the dose
and timing in treating RLS. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Pramipexole can be taken with or without food. Take the medication with food if it upsets
your stomach.
If you are taking this medication for RLS, tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse, if they
occur in the morning or earlier than usual in the evening, or if you feel restless symptoms in your hands
or arms.
Do not stop using pramipexole without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use
less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Store pramipexole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of pramipexole (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about pramipexole (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about pramipexole (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of pramipexole (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking pramipexole and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling
alert;
-
hallucinations;
-
fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven
heartbeats;
-
nausea, sweating, feeling light-headed, fainting; or
-
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or
neck.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
constipation, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
-
dry mouth, trouble swallowing;
-
urinating more often than usual;
-
mild drowsiness or sleepiness;
-
sleep problems (insomnia), unusual dreams;
-
amnesia, forgetfulness, thinking problems;
-
headache, confusion, weakness;
-
blurred vision;
-
joint pain, muscle weakness;
-
swelling in your hands or feet;
-
runny or stuffy nose;
-
weight loss; or
-
impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about pramipexole (oral)?
Some people taking pramipexole have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as
working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your
doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this
medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while
taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while
taking pramipexole.
If you are taking this medication for RLS, tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse, if they
occur in the morning or earlier than usual in the evening, or if you feel restless symptoms in your hands
or arms.
Do not stop using pramipexole without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use
less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by pramipexole. Tell your
doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of pramipexole.
Pramipexole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not
there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you have hallucinations.
What should I avoid while taking pramipexole (oral)?
Pramipexole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of pramipexole.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What other drugs will affect pramipexole (oral)?
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by pramipexole. Tell
your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other medicines for Parkinson's disease.
Before taking pramipexole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
amantadine (Symmetrel);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Tiazac);
-
ranitidine (Zantac);
-
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);
-
quinine(Qualaquin);
-
triamterene (Dyrenium); or
-
verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
pramipexole. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of pramipexole (oral)?