Pramipexole

Information about Pramipexole

Pramipexole is a selective dopamine receptor agonist used in the therapy of Parkinson disease. 

Liver safety of Pramipexole

Pramipexole therapy is associated with a low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations during treatment, but has not been implicated in cases of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Pramipexole

Pramipexole (pram" i pex' ole) is synthetic, nonergot derivative and dopamine receptor agonist that has selective activity for the D2 class of dopamine receptors and little agonist activity for the D1 class.  For this reason, pramipexole may be better tolerated than bromocriptine or pergolide which have activity for both D1 and D2 receptors.  Pramipexole was approved for use in the United States in 1997 for the therapy of symptomatic Parkinson disease. 

Dosage and administration for Pramipexole

Pramipexole is available in tablets of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg generically and under the brand name of Miraplex.  It is used often, but not always in combination with levodopa/carbidopa.  Pramipexole is typically initiated in low doses (0.375 mg in 3 divided doses daily), with adjustment upwards based upon tolerance and clinical effects.  The typical maintenance dose for Parkinson disease is 1.5 to 4.5 mg daily in three divided doses.  Pramipexole can be initiated more quickly than bromocriptine or pergolide, and does not cause the profound hypotension and nausea that are typical of the ergot derivatives. 

Use in Restless leg syndrome

Pramipexole is also use in treating [restless leg syndrome]].

Side effects of Pramipexole

Common side effects include somnolence, fatigue, vivid dreams, anxiety, confusion, depression, dizziness, headache and gastrointestinal upset.

• Dailymed label info on Pramipexole
• FDA Pramipexole

Pramipexole

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  Chemical structure of Pramipexole
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  Ball-and-stick model of Pramipexole
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  Pramipexole extended-release 4.5 mg tablets
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  Pharmacokinetic profile of Pramipexole 0.25 mg