Pramipexole (Systemic)
Brand Names : Mirapex
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pramipexole, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to pramipexole. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Pramipexole has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in pregnant animals have shown that pramipexole may interfere
with the pregnancy when the mother is given doses many times higher than the
human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you
are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pramipexole passes into
breast milk. Because of the possibility of serious unwanted effects in the
nursing infant, it is important that you discuss the use of this medicine
with your doctor if you wish to breast-feed.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult
patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of pramipexole
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things
that are not there) may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients,
who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of pramipexole.
Other medicines - 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. When you are taking
pramipexole, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Carbidopa and levodopa combination (e.g., Sinemet) or
-
Levodopa (e.g., Dopar, Larodopa) - Pramipexole may cause an increase
in the side effects of levodopa; your doctor may need to adjust your dosage
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of pramipexole. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Eye problems, especially with the retina - Animal studies have
shown that problems with the retina may occur; it is not certain if this may
occur in humans
-
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
or
-
Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
-
Postural hypotension (dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially
when getting up from a lying or sitting position) - Pramipexole may make
these conditions worse
-
Kidney problems - Higher blood levels of pramipexole may result,
and cause an increase in side effects
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