Mirapex

What you should know before using

In 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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

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 professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

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.

Geriatric

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. Also, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney disease, which may require caution in patients receiving pramipexole.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. 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.

• Dyskinesia (trouble controlling your muscles) or
• 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.