Pramipexole is a drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD). It is also used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Before starting taking this medicine, consider the following:

- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care provider if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

- Pediatric: Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Pramipexole in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

- Geriatric: Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Pramipexole in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to develop hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), which may require caution in patients receiving Pramipexole.

- Breastfeeding: There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

HOW TO TAKE

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking this medicine with food may reduce nausea.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

DOSING

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or directions on the label.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

MISSED DOSE

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose with the extended-release tablets and it is less than 12 hours since your regular time, take it as soon as you can and take your next dose at the normal time. If you miss a dose and it is more than 12 hours since your regular time, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the normal time.

STORAGE

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

PRECAUTIONS

It is very important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits. This is to allow for changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause anxiety, discouragement, feeling sad or empty, irritability, lack of appetite, lack of feeling or emotion, loss of interest or pleasure, sweating, tiredness, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, uncaring, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

People taking Pramipexole have reported falling asleep without warning during activities of daily living, including driving, which sometimes resulted in accidents. This may happen as late as one year after taking the medicine. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system (CNS). This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, barbiturates or medicine for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin taking this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Getting up slowly may help. If you have this problem, talk to your doctor.

Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) may occur in some patients. This is more common with elderly patients. If you have hallucinations, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause posture changes that you cannot control. Tell your doctor right away if you have your neck bending forward, bending forward at the waist, or tilting sideways when you sit, stand, or walk.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a condition called Rhabdomyolysis (muscle disease that can lead to kidney problems).

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their thoughts or behaviour, including an urge to gamble, spend money, binge eat, or an increased sex drive.

Talk to your doctor if this is a concern for you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

SIDE EFFECTS

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially when standing up suddenly from a sitting/lying position; drowsiness; nausea; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there; trouble sleeping; twitching, twisting, or other unusual body movements; unusual tiredness or weakness.

Please note, the information given above is a summary. Your doctor can provide more information about Pramipexole. Do not share this medicine with the others who it was not prescribed for. Do not use Pramipexole for other health conditions. Do not store the medication with an end term of its storage.