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Pramipexole

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Your doctor will increase your dose gradually, so you should follow the instructions given to you carefully.
Never stop taking your tablets suddenly. If you need to stop taking your medication, speak to your doctor who will reduce your dose gradually.

About pramipexole

Type of medicine	Dopamine Receptor Agonist
Used for	Parkinson's disease Restless legs syndrome
Also called	Mirapexin
Available as	Tablets and prolonged-release tablets (pramipexole is released over a longer period to give a more even effect)

Pramipexole works by copying the activity of a substance in the brain called dopamine.

Before taking pramipexole

Before taking pramipexole make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you have liver or kidney problems.
If you have a history of mental health problems.
If you suffer from heart disease or any other heart-related problems.

How to take pramipexole

Swallow the tablets with water.
Take with or without food.
Your doctor will increase your dose gradually, so you should follow the instructions given to you carefully.
If you are being treated for Restless Leg Syndrome your doctor will reassess your condition after 3 months of treatment.

Getting the most from your treatment

Your doctor may want to check your blood pressure in the early days of treatment since pramipexole may reduce your blood pressure.
Never stop taking your tablets suddenly. If you need to stop taking your medication, speak to your doctor who will reduce your dose gradually.
In the first few days after taking this medicine you may experience dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Getting up slowly should help.
Get your eyes tested regularly since pramipexole may affect your vision.

Can pramipexole cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling sick	Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Difficulty performing voluntary movements such as picking up a glass of water or walking a short distance	Speak to your doctor.
Constipation	Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6 - 8 glasses of water each day.
Headache	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer.
Seeing things that are not actually there (hallucinating)	Speak to your doctor.
Difficulty sleeping, tiredness, feeling ready to fall asleep, sudden onset of sleep without warning signs	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. If you experience sudden onset of sleep, avoid driving and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Important: Speak to your doctor if you notice any changes in your behaviour such as increased desire to gamble, over-eating or increased sex drive.

How to store pramipexole

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.
Summary of Product Characteristics - Mirapexin® 0.18 mg tablets (pramipexole) Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, updated February 2008, electronic Medicines Compendium. Last accessed August 2008.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 3219

DocRef: dils2074

Last Reviewed: 21 Nov 2007

Version: 23

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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