Where is Pramipexole Dihydrochloride used?
Pramipexole Dihydrochloride is a prescription used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This is a dopamine agonist that helps improve your ability to move and lessen shakiness or tremors in Parkinson’s disease. It also improves slowed movement and unsteadiness.
This medication can also be used in restless legs syndrome (RLS). This decreases the symptoms and thereby improves sleep. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. This is supplied as tablets for oral use.
How does Pramipexole Dihydrochloride work?
Pramipexole Dihydrochloride works by imitating the activity of a substance in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is a substance known as neurotransmitters that are present in the nervous system and the brain. These are also involved in transmitting messages between nerves. Dopamine is known to be decreased in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. This is thought to be the cause of disease symptoms.
Dopamine usually transmits messages by stimulating specific receptor sites in the brain. This medication stimulates these same receptor sites and produces the same effects as dopamine and acts as a dopamine substitute. In this way, Pramipexole Dihydrochloride helps to restore the dopamine activity in the brain which helps lessen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
How to use is Pramipexole Dihydrochloride taken?
Pramipexole Dihydrochloride is to be taken by mouth as directed by your doctor. Each dose may be taken with or without a meal. The prescribed dosage is based on your medical condition and response to the treatment. Your doctor may direct you to start at a lower dose and eventually increase it.
- For Parkinson’s disease, this medicine is taken 3 times a day.
- For RLS, this medicine is taken once a day. Each dose is taken 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
The dose and how often you take this medicine depend on your overall health and other medications you may be taking. It is important to take your prescription exactly as it is given.
What are the possible side effects of Pramipexole Dihydrochloride?
Common side effects:
- Nausea
- Dizziness when standing
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Spinning sensation
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Appetite or weight changes
- Confusion or thinking problems
- Forgetfulness
Call your doctor right away if these occur:
- Hallucinations
- A light-headed feeling like you might pass out
- Falling asleep suddenly
- Extreme drowsiness
- Vision problems
- Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Posture changes you cannot control
What are the precautions of taking Pramipexole Dihydrochloride?
- You should exercise caution when driving or performing any activities. This drug may cause dizziness or sleepiness.
- Caution should also be observed when drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that cause drowsiness, as this may increase the risk of drowsiness.
- Use this medication with caution in people with decreased kidney function, psychotic illness, and severe disease involving the heart and blood vessels.
- This should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- The safety and efficacy of this drug have not been established in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.
- If you have an allergic reaction to this drug before, do not use it anymore and inform your doctor. This may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
- Do not share this or any of your medications with others even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
