The most common side effects in people taking Mirapex for Restless Legs Syndrome are:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
The most common side effects in people taking Mirapex for Parkinson’s disease are:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
- Abnormal movements
Mirapex may cause serious side effects, including
- Falling asleep during normal daily activities.
- Low blood pressure when you sit or stand up quickly. You may have dizziness, nausea, fainting, or sweating. Sit and stand up slowly after you have been sitting or lying down for a while.
- Hallucinations. You may see, hear, feel, or taste something that isn’t there. You have a higher chance of having hallucinations if you are over 65 years old.
These are not all the possible side effects of Mirapex. For more information ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take Mirapex if you are allergic to pramipexole (the active ingredient) or any of its inactive ingredients.
Do not drive a car, operate a machine, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how Mirapex affects you.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Mirapex. It can increase your chances of feeling sleepy or falling asleep when you should be awake.
Mirapex may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, or sweating when you get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. This is more common when you first start taking Mirapex, or when your dose is increased. To avoid this problem, get out of the chair or bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
Studies of people with Parkinson’s disease show that they may be at an increased risk of developing melanoma, a form of skin cancer, when compared to people without Parkinson’s disease. It is not known if this problem is associated with Parkinson’s disease or the medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Mirapex is one of the medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease, therefore, patients being treated with Mirapex should have periodic skin examinations.
There have been reports of patients taking certain medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease or Restless Leg Syndrome, including Mirapex, that have reported problems with gambling, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, and increased sex drive. It is not possible to reliably estimate how often these behaviors occur or to determine which factors may contribute to them. If you or your family members notice that you are developing unusual behaviors, talk to your doctor.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Mirapex will harm your unborn baby.
Mirapex is a prescription medicine used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome, and signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Mirapex is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Take Mirapex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Mirapex comes as a tablet to take by mouth. When Mirapex is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, it is usually taken three times a day. When Mirapex is used to treat restless legs syndrome, it is usually taken once a day, 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Mirapex may be taken with or without food, but taking it with food may help to prevent nausea that may be caused by the medicine. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of Mirapex and gradually increase your dose. Your doctor will probably not increase your dose more often than once every 4 to 7 days. It may take several weeks before you reach a dose that works for you.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Mirapex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Mirapex.
Mirapex is a prescription medicine to treat
- Primary Restless Legs Syndrome.
- Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Mirapex has not been studied in children.
Mirapex tablets are available in the following strengths: 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, and 1.5 mg.
Active Ingredient: pramipexole dihydrochloride monohydrate
Inactive Ingredients: mannitol, corn starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, povidone, and magnesium stearate
Do not drive a car, operate a machine, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how Mirapex affects you.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Mirapex. It can increase your chances of feeling sleepy or falling asleep when you should be awake.
- Take Mirapex exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will tell you how many Mirapex tablets to take and when to take them.
- Your doctor may change your dose until you are taking the right amount of medicine to control your symptoms. Do not take more or less Mirapex than your doctor tells you to.
- Mirapex can be taken with or without food. Taking Mirapex with food may lower your chances of getting nausea.
- If you miss a dose, do not double your next dose. Skip the dose you missed and take your next regular dose.
- Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you stop taking Mirapex for any reason. Do not start taking Mirapex again before speaking with your doctor. If you have Parkinson’s disease and are stopping Mirapex, you should stop Mirapex slowly over 7 days.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are allergic to Mirapex or any other medicine.
- feel sleepy during the day from a sleep problem other than Restless Legs Syndrome.
- have low blood pressure, or if you feel dizzy or faint, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
- have trouble controlling your muscles (dyskinesia).
- have kidney problems.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Mirapex will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding. It is not known if Mirapex will pass into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Mirapex or breastfeed. You should not do both.
- drink alcohol. Alcohol can increase the chance that Mirapex will make you feel sleepy or fall asleep when you should be awake.
- Store Mirapex tablets at room temperature [77°F (25°C)]. Short-term exposure to higher or lower temperatures [from 59°F (15°C) to 86°F (30°C)] is acceptable. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about storing your tablets.
- Keep Mirapex out of light.
- Keep Mirapex and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Take Mirapex exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will tell you how many Mirapex tablets to take and when to take them. Your doctor may change your dose until you are taking the right amount of medicine to control your symptoms. Do not take more or less Mirapex than your doctor tells you to.
Mirapex can be taken with or without food. Taking Mirapex with food may lower your chances of getting nausea.
If you miss a dose, do not double your next dose. Skip the dose you missed and take your next regular dose. Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you stop taking Mirapex for any reason. Do not start taking Mirapex again before speaking with your doctor. If you have Parkinson’s disease and are stopping Mirapex, you should stop Mirapex slowly over 7 days.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products. Be sure to mention any of the following:
- amantadine (Symadine, Symmetrel);
- antidepressants;
- antihistamines;
- cimetidine (Tagamet);
- diltiazem (Cardiazem, Dilacor XR);
- levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, in Sinemet);
- medications for allergies, anxiety, mental illness, nausea, and seizures;
- metoclopramide (Reglan);
- quinidine;
- quinine;
- ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75);
- sedatives;
- sleeping pills;
- tranquilizers;
- triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide, in Maxzide);
- and verapamil (Isoptin, Calan, Verelan, and others).
Mirapex (pramipexole) is an oral medication used primarily to treat early stage Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. It has also been used off-label as treatment for cluster headaches. It is part of a a class of medications called dopamine agonists. It works by activating the dopamine receptors in the brain, helping to control the body’s movements.
Mirapex has also been used to counteract the side effects of sexual dysfunction that result from using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Currently it is being investigated for treatment of bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and fibromyalgia.