Common use

Mirapex contains active substance pramipexole, which is a substance similar to dopamine. By stimulation of dopamine receptors in the striatum and the black substance it affects impulses in neurons of the striatum. Patients with Parkinson's disease usually have low levels to dopamine, so Mirapex is used to treat Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) as well.



Dosage and direction

Follow all instructions of your doctor about taking of Mirapex. Do not take double or extra doses of this drug. Swallow the tablets whole, do not chew them. Take with a full glass of water with or without a meal.



Precautions

Cautiousness is needed in treatment of the individuals with kidney failure or hypotension. Some people taking Mirapex may suddenly fall asleep doing their everyday activities like work, eating, driving, etc. During treatment increased sexual urges or unusual urges to gamble may appear. Do not stop course of the treatment without your doctor's permission. When the treatment is untimely interrupted it may aggravate side effects of the drug. Avoid to get up too fast if you lied or sit to avoid dizziness. Concomitant use of this medication with medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety, narcotic pain medicine, cold or allergy medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers increases sleepiness it causes. Inform your doctor if you have narcolepsy, kidney disease, uncontrolled muscle movements, or tremors (dyskinesia). Elderly people are more prone to have auditory and visual hallucinations. Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or are getting worse, appear earlier in the morning or later in the evening than usual, or if you feel restless symptoms in your arms. Limit alcohol use and inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.



Contraindications

Mirapex cannot be administered to the patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, pregnant and breastfeeding women.



Possible side effect

Besides possible signs of allergic reaction such as hives, rash, facial swelling and difficulty breathing this medicine many cause hallucinations, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, constipation, stomach upset, dry mouth, nausea, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, sweating, unusual weakness, feeling light-headed, fainting, headache, uncontrolled muscle movements in your eyes, jaw, tongue, or neck.



Drug interaction

Dopamine antagonists (derivatives of phenothiazine, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes, metoclopramide) decrease effectiveness of the treatment. Inform your doctor about all medications and herbal products you are taking and especially about amantadine (Symmetrel), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Tiazac), quinine(Qualaquin), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), triamterene (Dyrenium), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin), psychiatric medicine, drugs for anxiety or depression, sleep medication, medicine for Parkinson's disease, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, narcotic pain relievers, certain antihistamines (diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose are not known. If you suppose that took too much of this medicine contact your doctor.



Storage

Store in a dry tight container away from sunlight at room temperature between 15-30 C (59-86 F) away from children and pets.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.