From the FDA Drug Label
Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets contain pramipexole, a nonergot dopamine agonist. Pramipexole dihydrochloride tablets, for oral administration, contain 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 1.5 mg of pramipexole dihydrochloride monohydrate. Mirapex is another name for the drug Pramipexole, which is a nonergot dopamine agonist used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.
Pramipexole and Mirapex are the same medication. They both contain the active ingredient pramipexole, which is a dopamine agonist used to treat certain medical conditions. The difference lies in the fact that Mirapex is a brand name, while pramipexole is the generic name of the drug 1, 1, 1.
From the Research
Yes, Pramipexole and Mirapex are the same medication, with Pramipexole being the generic name and Mirapex being one of its brand names. This medication is a dopamine agonist primarily used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, as stated in the study by 2. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, mimicking the effects of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control movement and coordination.
Key Points
- The medication is typically available in immediate-release tablets (taken 2-3 times daily) and extended-release tablets (taken once daily) 3.
- Common dosages range from 0.125 mg to 4.5 mg per day, depending on the condition being treated and individual patient factors 4.
- Patients should be aware that this medication may cause side effects such as drowsiness, sudden sleep onset, compulsive behaviors, and dizziness, particularly when starting treatment or increasing the dose 5.
- Pramipexole has been shown to be effective in treating motor symptoms at all stages of Parkinson's disease and moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile 6.
Important Considerations
- The non-ergot dopamine agonist pramipexole is currently indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease and for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary restless legs syndrome 6.
- The extended-release formulation of pramipexole provides a more convenient alternative to the immediate-release formulation, with the majority of patients able to be switched overnight without the need for dosage adjustment 3.
- Pramipexole has been successful in open studies, eliminating clinical symptoms of restless legs syndrome, with limited side effects, particularly at the dosages usually prescribed for RLS treatment 5.