Get Informed: Mirapex
Active Ingredient(s)
Pramipexole
What does it do?
This product is primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and primary Restless Leg Syndrome. It is thought to work by stimulating the dopamine receptors, but the exact mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 8:04 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Mirapex
- Pramipexole
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 01 Jul 1997
- Est US Patients*
- 685,600
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Mirapex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Mirapex
There have been no alerts regarding Mirapex during the past year.
Mirapex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Mirapex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 4,000 patients that use Mirapex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 86% | 
|
| Parkinson's Disease | 17% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 2% | 
|
How well does Mirapex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,000 users taking Mirapex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 89%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Mirapex outweigh the bad things.
- 24%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Mirapex.
Common Side Effects of Mirapex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,000 users taking Mirapex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
45% of patients experience side-effects on Mirapex
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Mirapex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Restlessness
-
Vivid Dreams
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bladder/Urinary Problems, Constipation, Diarrea, Dizziness, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Loss of Libido
Global Patient Feedback for Mirapex (Pramipexole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed over ten years ago with RLS......What agony until Mirapex.....I have taken Mirapex ever since it came out and love it.....On a bad note if I don't take it then my legs and arms are 10 times worse! I would like to say that if anyone is taking any SSRI's (Antidepressants) the RLS symptoms increase and therefore would have to adjust the dosage to much higher. Such as I take 1mg per day and I quarter it, however when I was put on zoloft or prozac had to take 1mg 4 times a day.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-06 20:05:18
Question/Comment:
I have RLS very bad, I am taking Mirapex now 4mg at night. I also have Ehlers-Danlos Vascular Type 4 so my body gets used to meds and they have to up the dose or change it. Mirapex stopped working and had to switch to another combo of meds and had to switch back and forth. I now the frustration with RLS. I feel like I am gonna go crazy when the meds don't work!!! I have had RLS ever since I can remember, but I was 19 when I was first one any meds for it and it was a life saver!!
28 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 01:02:25
Question/Comment:
My legs and arms get restless during the day as well as night. I take 0.5 mg of Mirapex in the morning and three 0.5 mg at night. I also take one clonazepam 2 mg at night. I suffered with RLS for years before a doctor put me on these two medications. I now get 100% relief unless I wait to long at night to take my medicine. It is very expensive but if you suffer from RSL you will pay anything to get it. I do tend to drop off to sleep during the day and do not drive except for around town because I will get sleepy. It is a small price to pay for reliefe.
69 year old female
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-23 04:50:10
Answer/Reply:
I also take Mirapex it has helped me very very much I am able to sleep @ night . But I need to take it around 7 pm or 7:30 no later or its hard to get to sleep because my legs are going to town. I am able to function during the day .
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 16:04:12
Answer/Reply:
Good to hear that you are getting relief from the Mirapex. I have found out also that sometimes I need to take .05 mirapex even around noon time and that is does make a big difference.
My brother is a broker for a company where he can get meds cheaper - so I am able to get mirapex from him which really helps lower the cost. He is willing to help others in this way.
I do take a Darvocet sometimes at night to help settle down my legs (and feet) if the mirapex deosnt work - tho now I wonder abt that.
71 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-19 00:29:45
Answer/Reply:
I was on .5 a day, and it wasn't working for my RLS. My family doctor wouldn't go higher, so sent me to a neurologist. She upped it to 2 pills of .5 twice a day. Immediate relief! I hate how expensive it is (over $300/month), but would not live without it.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-19 15:39:59
Question/Comment:
Can anyone please tell me the generic name for Mirapex. I see it is listed as
being in generic form, bit I cant seem to locate the name anywhere.
Thanks for your assistance.
69 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-17 19:02:18
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The generic name of Mirapex is pramipexole. A generic form of Mirapex has been approved by the FDA but it is not yet available for purchase in the United States due to several legal issues surrounding the patent expiration of the brand name product.
Posted: 2009-07-18 09:42:43
Question/Comment:
I take Mirapex for Restless Leg Syndrome and absolutely can't do without it! It makes a huge difference for me. If I am a bit late taking it I am able to physically feel it -- in that my legs go crazy. I am so thrilled to have a medication that really makes such a positive difference. I've been taking for about 2 1/2 years and hope it continues to work this well.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-11 11:29:00
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
52
Patient Comments about
Mirapex