Pramipexole

[septimus7]

Has anyone tried this drug? I have been prescribed it and am nervous to try it. It's in addition to C/L

[cgreg]

I was prescribed Pramipexole for Restless Legs Syndrome. (I also have PD.) It worked like magic right away.

[WinnieThePoo]

Yes. I've been on Pramipexole for about 4 years now, 1.05mg of LP (slow release). It's an excellent drug, but you need to be aware of potential side-effects. There is usually nausea on starting it (which quickly passes) and in my case both orthostatic hypotension (which also only lasted a week or so) and fatigue - which I solve with the local tradition of a short siesta.

THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT LEADS TO COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS, INCLUDING GAMBLING, SHOPPING, SEXUAL COMPULSIONS. PEOPLE TAKING THIS DRUG HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE FINANCIAL LOSS. Make sure that someone monitors these risks with you. My experience and information from my neurologists is that around 20% of users suffer these problems - so around 80% don't. If you are one of the lucky 80% it's a good medication

[Nuthatcher in reply to WinnieThePoo]

I take pramipexole 0.125mg 4x a day and have not had any problems.

[RonB1 in reply to WinnieThePoo]

For me a 20% risk of negative side effects does not outweigh the benefits of this drug. I take 0.5mg in the evening which resolved my restless legs completely. Just wondering what the maximum safe daily dosage is?

[michelagvolpe]

I tried pramipexolo on march and for 5 month I had nausea. So I stopped it, but it was working well for PD symptoms .

[Astra7]

I’ve tried it a few times and am currently taking 2.25mg a day before bed. I think it gives me low blood pressure and I’m not sure if it does much good, but the neurologists seem to think it does.

It does make me slightly more reckless, but that’s probably a good thing.

[flyboypiper]

It's the first drug my neurologist put me on. I took it for over 30 days, but it did absolutely nothing for my Parkinson's except make me extremely dizzy and sleepy. And I second the advice about making sure you read and understand the side effects of it.

[Jeaner73]

I took pramipexole for many years and yes it worked for me, but it’s very difficult to get off of it. Very difficult.

[masishere]

I was on pami for about 6 years...current doc took me off for fear of compulsive issues. I Do not miss it...

[Mechjack]

I started on Pramipexole but was quickly transitioned to Ropinirole due to the fatigue and some compulsive tendencies. Ropinirole has had the positives of Pramipexole with less side effects once we got the dose and timing down.

[septimus7 in reply to Mechjack]

Do you take it with c/l? if so do you take them both at the same time?

[Mechjack in reply to septimus7]

I do not. My neuro is one of the ones that wants me to avoid c/l for now. Not sure if this is right. I'm almost a year from diagnosis at 38yo.

[Santana35]

I took pramipaxole,aka Miripex for a couple of years. I could not stay awake during the day. Fell asleep while driving and crashed into the center guard rail. I quit taking mirapex the next day.

[Santana35]

Ropinirole, aka Requip, have me similar side affects including compulsive eating. I gained 75 pounds over a four year period. After my car crash I switched to car carbidopa/levadopa which I am less responsive to, but it works well enough and I dropped the extra weight. The only dopamine agonist that I take now is Apokyn which has been a true game changer for me. Like Requip and Mirapex, Apokyn is a dopamine agonist and I respond to it with in minutes of taking it to reverse fluctuations to “off”. It allows me todo whatever without worrying about getting stuck somewhere. Unlike Mirapex and Requip,

Apokyn does not build up in my body. It lasts for about 45 minutes before wearing off. As a result Apokyn buys me enough time for me to take more carbidopa/levadopaa and have it kick-in.

[Metalovinshaker13]

Started taking it 3 times a day, but would make me very sleepy. Doc changed it to 1 at night and it works wonders for my sleep, which in turn helps the anxiety!

[Parkinsunny]

I was on it for a while, but had some feet swelling and water retention, also shopped a lot online in the evenings lol!! My Dr. took me off it, but I have RLS, which it did help with. I'm going to ask her if I can go back on again. It was the patch, (Neupro) easy to control the dosage. I can start with 1/4, then increase to only a half if it is helping. I guess it is worth a try!! best of luck to you!!

[blpai]

Pramipex is a dopamine agonist. In layman's language, it supports dopamine indirectly and helps in enhancing the ON time slightly . Since it stays in the body longer than C/L medication , it can help in OFF time . If your Neuro has prescribed, for sure he has a reason . You could always ask him as why he has prescribed it for you. Side effect of medicine is normal and it various from person to person. If pramipex helps in addressing your PD symptoms great 👍. If it causes side effect , better to revert to the Neuro.

[rsacdoolittle in reply to blpai]

I like Blpai's suggestion. Most often, side effects just go away after a medication is stopped. So if your Neurologist prescribed Pramipexole, he thinks it will help you feel better. And it may! 🙂 When Daddy (78yo) woke up from a surgery with new onset psychosis, he quit taking Pramipexole cold turkey as his doctor suggested. It has helped his Restless Legs a while and now it was time to stop it. Not RECOMMENDING cold turkey here, but just saying what happened. Removing Pramipexole did help with his delusional thoughts and over-interest in certain things lessen, which was good. But for a season, it was a blessing! I think it's worth trying! Best wishes and a prayer...

[taxidermy1944]

I had to switch when ropinorol was not available. It is as good as ropinorol.