Dopamine

[graciebes]

Morning. Ive read somewhere on here that compulsive eating and weight gain is a side effect of any medication with dopamine in. I am on Pramipexole and have been for years and it works for me. But over the years i have put on quite a bit of weight and always thinking about food although dont binge,is it in relation to the tablets? My new doctor asked why i was taking Pramipexole and i told him RLS, he looked at me and i dont think he had heard of it before as he looked at me blank. I dont think many drs are aware of this condition.

[Hidden]

Yes, you're right, not many doctors have heard of RLS and many of those that do are poorly informed about it.

Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist (DA) and you are correct in thinking it can cause an Impulse Control Disorder (ICD), e.g.compulsive eating.

It also has two other problems with long term use which are "loss of efficacy" and "augmentation".

The doctor who prescribed you Pramipexole was supposed to warn you of these 3 things, i.e. ICD, loss of efficacy and augmentation. I forget, but I think they will be mentioned in the leaflet that cones with your tablets.

Your weight gain/binge eating dies sound like an ICD and if so, it's possible that it's due to the Pramipexole.

[Parminter]

Yes, compulsive behaviours of every sort are a MAJOR side effect. It is in the package insert, your doctor should have alerted you.

Not fair.

It will not improve so long as you take pramipexole or any other dopamine agonist.

See your doctor, tell him about it, and switch to another drug.

[charlie_mk]

I feel the same way Graciebes! I've been putting weight on whilst taking Pramipexole for RLS too - approx 2 stones in 2.5 years. My weight was so stable previously.

I've now since been diagnosed with M.E so my exercise options are almost nil.

I'm trying to substitute snacks with better options as much as possible. Grapes, carrot sticks, rice cakes etc.

[leo_sch]

Hello, graciebes. How much Pramipexole are you taking?

[graciebes in reply to leo_sch]

1 or 2 tablets depending if legs are bad . I'm on 0.18mgs