Have you been prescribed a medication called Pramipexole by your doctor for Parkinson's disease? So, today we'll talk about what exactly this medication is, how to use it safely, and what you need to be careful about. This information will be very important to you.
Simply put, what is Pramipexole?
Pramipexole is a medication used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease . You may find it listed on your prescription label under the brand name Mirapex ER. It works by mimicking the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, helping to control the tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving that are common in Parkinson's disease.
Sometimes your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
For your safety, it is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health history before starting this medication. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially if you have any:
| Health condition or habit | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you drink alcohol frequently | Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by the medication. |
| If you have kidney disease or are on hemodialysis | This medicine is eliminated from the body by the kidneys, so the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Heart disease or low blood pressure | This medicine may lower blood pressure further. |
| Mental illness (e.g. depression, schizophrenia-like | Some mental states may change due to medication. |
| Sleep problems (Narcolepsy, Sleep apnea) | This medication can cause sudden sleepiness, so if you already have sleep problems, you should inform your doctor . |
| If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding | It is essential to seek medical advice regarding the possible effects of the medication on the child. |
| If you have an allergy to other medicines, foods or substances | To confirm whether you are allergic to Pramipexole or any of its ingredients. |
How to use the medicine correctly?
- Take as directed by your doctor: Take the dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time every day.
- Swallow with a glass of water: Swallow the tablet whole with water.
- Do not break, crush, or chew: This is an extended-release (ETU) pill. This means that the medicine is released into your body gradually throughout the day. If you break, crush, or chew it, the entire dose of medicine can be released into your body at once , which can cause serious side effects . So, swallow the pill whole.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Don't stop abruptly: Even if you feel better, don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice. Stopping suddenly can cause serious side effects and make your condition worse.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If it is less than 12 hours past your scheduled dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than 12 hours past your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, stop taking it immediately.Call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
When using this medicine, be mindful of these things for your own safety.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up from a sitting position or standing up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can increase the drowsiness and side effects of this medication.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help. If this problem persists, tell your doctor.
Very important: Some people taking this medicine may suddenly fall asleep without realizing it. This can happen even while driving or talking. If you experience this, tell your doctor immediately.
- Uncontrollable urges: Some people may experience uncontrollable urges to gamble, have sex, or spend money unnecessarily while taking this medicine. This is nothing to be ashamed of, it is a side effect of the medicine. If you experience this, tell your doctor immediately .
- Changes in body posture: If you find yourself uncontrollably bending your neck forward, bending your back forward at the waist, or leaning to one side while standing or walking, tell your doctor about that as well.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Mental changes | Restlessness, depression, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations). |
| Sudden sleepiness | Falling asleep even while engaged in a normal activity such as driving. |
| Uncontrollable impulses | An abnormally strong desire for gambling, sex, and spending. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, fainting spells, feeling unusually tired. |
| Uncontrollable movements | Uncontrolled movements of parts of the body such as the hands, face, and neck, and difficulty swallowing. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | This can be controlled by drinking plenty of water and eating a diet rich in fiber. |
| Drowsiness | This may decrease as the body adjusts to the medication. |
| Dry mouth | Drink more water. |
| Nausea | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
| Insomnia | If this persists, inform the doctor. |
How should the medicine be stored?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from moisture.
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly. Consult your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Pramipexole is a medicine that controls the symptoms of Parkinson's. Take it at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor tells you.
- This is an extended-release (ETU) tablet, so never break, crush, or chew it. Swallow it whole.
- If you experience sudden sleepiness, uncontrollable impulses (such as gambling), or mood changes while taking the medication, tell your doctor immediately. These could be side effects of the medication.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
- If you have any questions or concerns, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Pramipexole / Mirapex tablets are a very specific medicine given for which disease?
This is not an ordinary medicine! This is a highly effective (Dopamine Agonist) medicine for the treatment of 'Parkinson's Disease', a disease in which the limbs become uncontrollably stiff as we age, and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a mental/neurological disease in which an unbearable feeling/pain in the legs occurs, especially when we are trying to sleep at night.
💬 When I have trembling limbs/jerking legs, how do I stop it completely when I take these pills (Pramipexole)?
Parkinson's/RLS occurs because the essential chemical 'Dopamine' in the muscle control chamber of our brain is completely lost! As soon as this pill reaches the brain, it goes to the receptors (D2/D3 Receptors) in that control chamber of the brain and takes on a shape exactly like dopamine and presses a button! Then the brain is fooled into thinking 'dopamine has arrived', so immediately the trembling/shaking of the limbs and the tingling in the legs suddenly stop and the patient feels better.
💬 What are the potentially fatal side effects of taking this brain-affecting drug (Mirapex)?
The biggest and most dangerous danger is that while drinking this, the patient will suddenly fall asleep/fainting without any prior warning (sudden sleep attacks) while driving/eating (can be dangerous)! The other worst side effect is that since it gives dopamine, patients cannot bear it and can definitely go into a state of mental madness (impulse control disorders) where they can't stand it and gamble/bet money, eat excessively, and seek sex without limits!
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