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Global Patient Feedback for Mirapex (Pramipexole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been on Mirapex for 2 years and it was a miracle for me at night when my legs would jump and feel like bugs were crawling under my skin. I'm wondering about some of the comments that hint at dependency and needing higher doses to maintain good results. Also, when might there be a generic available to bring the cost down?
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-04-15 23:31:48
Member Answer/Reply:
I just started taking the generic for mirapex. It is pramipexole Di Hcl o.25mg.
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-04-25 20:25:59
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There is a generic available currently. Ask your pharmacist to fill it generically next time. Mirapex does not typically cause dependence. As with many medications, the body may adjust to Mirapex in which case higher doses would be needed to create the same effect. The increase in dosing would be individual. Some patients may require a higher dose, while others may be fine on the dose they have been on.
Posted: 2010-05-01 15:06:14
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on Mirapex for 2 years now for my RLS and I think its a miracle drug. I had tried several other drugs before (one of them Requip) and the RLS got worse. When I started on Mirapex, it was almost instant relief. The problem was (and is) the cost. The first year that I was on Mirapex, I got drug assistance from the pharmacutical company (Boeringer). That was great because they paid for my prescription. Then I got insurance through my job, so I could not get the drug assistance any more. The problem is: My insurance will not allow and pay for the Mirapex. They will only pay for Requip(which does not work). The insurance companywill not budge. So now I am back paying for the Mirapex on my own. Any suggestions out there about any other drug assistance?
Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-05-16 13:44:09
Question/Comment:
Within 12 days of starting Mirapex treatment, I became suicidal when I have no previous history of depression. It scared me to death. It came on as subtle "blues" and within days I became obsessed with burning myself. I did not do it because I came to think it was the medication and backed off it. People using this drug should be very closely monitored.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-04-12 18:36:53
Question/Comment:
Mirapex works wonders for me. Tried several other meds that made me sick and or did not work as well. Mirapex's only drawback is that at certain levels it is tiring. Since I have insomnia that proves to be helpful taking it at bedtime. I do not have to take it during the day since I am very active and the movement is not as noticeable or intolerable. BUT, you can not do without it once you have gotten use to it as someone said. The movement is magnified unbelievably. Still it is great relief!
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-01-23 00:13:32
Question/Comment:
I was taking Mirapex for about 15 years. They had to up the medication to 1.5MG 2 tabs at supper and it was working, but the costs went up to around $900 for 3 months. So I went in and asked the Dr. to check on a cheaper drug and he put me on Ropinole it did not work. I am waiting on another prescription of Miripex to come now. I cannot stand my legs flopping. It is to expensive, but unless you have restless legs and have had them jump everywere you will do what is needed to help your legs. It is scary for your legs to jump everywhere and cannot stop them.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-12-04 18:30:02
Member Answer/Reply:
59 year old Female: How were you diagnosed as having RLS? Just by your symtoms the Doctor told you this? Thre is no definative testing for RLS...no labs can be used to make this diagnosis.
I was given MIRAPEX and was blacking out. There is medical information and the FDA has many thousands of incidents. IU was behind the wheel of my car, never warned, and I nearly hit a Bridge Abutment. NOT TO FRIGHTEN YOU: PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-12-13 10:30:50
Member Answer/Reply:
Fortunately, I have had no side effects
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-04-25 20:34:05
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.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard
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 – Source: iGuard
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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-07-23 04:50:10
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-08-18 16:04:12
Member 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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-08-19 00:29:45
Member 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.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard
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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-07-17 19:02:18
iGuard 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
Member Answer/Reply:
I understand this is avilable in generic form at Canada drug.com. I caution you to be careful with blacking out, without warning, on Mirapex. They gave it to me for 'drop foot' - nothing to do with RLS! What I have is Neuropathy in my feet and legs - like a feeling of pins and needles; not my legs flopping over the bed. I am happy to hear this has worked wonders for all of you that have been helped. However, blacking out at the wheel and avoiding a bridge abutment was scary enough for me not to use it. I take Magnesium 2,000 mg daily now. 80% of the time it resolves the CRAMPING, not a symptom of RLS. I have begun to wonder what physicians STOCK is in the Pharmaceutical Industry. I am now on 44 pills a day....This is pure stupidity! Was on 1 BP RX, now 3..... They are practicing, I AGREE. And we are the guinea pigs!
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-12-13 10:40:35
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 – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-07-11 11:29:00
Question/Comment:
This product Mirapex doesn't relieve my leg, feet, or hands cramping. I have been taking it for several months. Which should have been long enough.
"What is right is not always popular. What is popular is not always
right"
Lyle
Enjoying Every Breath
Retired US Army
1957 - 1978
70 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-20 19:08:14
Member Answer/Reply:
I am sorry that the Mirapex doesn't work for you. I only wish that it did, as it works great for me. I have been on the mirapex since '03 and have only had to change the dosage once. I started out at .5 mg and now take 1mg which does the trick for me. Hope you find something soon to help ease your restless legs and hands.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-02 11:54:16
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi, are you taking this for Parkinson's? My father just tried Azilect and Amantadine for his Parkinson's and it gave him palpatations. They are starting him on Miripex next week.
Can you tell me anything about it?
Thank you.
67 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-03 08:02:42
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi, I'm in my 3rd year of Parkinsons and have been using 0.25 mg of Mirapex. along with
Stalevo 50 mg. and it seems to help. One thing is sure I do not have the cramps in my
calf muscles any more since I've been on Mirapex.
Also the Stalevo holds off the tremors for several hours.
I guess it's best to start with a small dose of medication to see how it works.
Of course let your physcian be alerted of any side effects.
Good luck to you.
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-23 02:56:55
Member Answer/Reply:
Perhaps you don't have Restless Leg Syndrome since you say the "product doesn't relieve my leg, feet or hands cramping". I do have RLS but have no cramping of my legs, feet or hands. I get THE most uncomfortable twitching, creepy type crawly feelings and was diagnosed as having RLS as other members in my family (mother and daughter both have it) and so, it was stated not to be a Parkinsonian Disorder but a Familial Disorder by my neurologist. I am so very thankful for this drug and could not possible live through another night without it.
I truly hope you can get a proper diagnosis of your difficulty as just as a layman, I think you might want to visit another neurologist. Mine knew IMMEDIATELY what was my problem and as soon as I was placed on Mirapex, my problems ceased. If I take my pill too late at night, I suffer the effects of my RLS symptoms.
73 year old female
74 year old – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-13 16:24:57
Member Answer/Reply:
Mirapex works well for me most nights. I have had some luck with Calcium Maleate (magnesium) Talk to your doc about it.
65 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-06-01 13:17:20
Question/Comment:
i began takin pramipexole dihydrochloride .125mg once a day at bedtime. after a month, i began to black out suddenly for no reason. is this a side effect of this drug? i was also taking clonazapam .5mg, zoloft 200 mg and oxycodone 10 mg at the same time. i had no sudden blackouts before this drug. can anyone help me?
61 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-25 18:44:17
Member Answer/Reply:
hi. im on 0.25 mg of mirapex. i was on a stonger dose and i began seeing people and shawdows in my room at night. so im on the lower dose and its working fine for me maybe your dose is too strong. i have tried to stop taking it and i cant im hooked. so if you really dont need it, dont take it or try something else. thanks.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-30 15:23:06
Member Answer/Reply:
I am stunned that I have not read these side effects listed on the medication bottle. I have had sleepy episodes during the day and wondered if it was the medication or a side effect of getting older. I will try to cut down on the Mirapex.
70 year old female
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-23 14:01:07
Member Answer/Reply:
I am a 73 year old woman and I have been taking Mirapex for years. At this point I take 8 .5 mg pills from late in the afternoon until 11:00 p.m. I also take Lyrica, 7 50 mg capsules and 1 240 mg verapamil. I had surgery on 4/15 and take hydrocodone for pain. I have never blacked out or felt like I am going to black out.
74 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-04-25 17:54:02
Member Answer/Reply:
Blackouts are dangerous, do you mean that you are nodding out or do you blackout and fall on the ground? Some of the medications you are on cause sedation, you need to be careful. The Oxycodone and Klonipin alone cause sedation. Have you considered switching to Hydrocodone which is Vicodin? Also you are not taking the Klonipin and Oxycodone together, right?
Please be careful and tell your doctor!!!!!!!!
67 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-03 08:07:12
Question/Comment:
I've been taking Mirapex about 5 years, and it's a miracle after about 30 years of undiagnosed RLS! I was given Levdopa, which after 1 week of relief turned into a nightmare of augmentation!
Then Mirapex was found effective for RLS and I tried it and it gave me almost total relief. I now am on a nightly dose of .375 which I have moved up to 6 P.M. from 7. The earlier hour seems more effective. About 9 P.M. I get an irresistable urge to sleep, so I try not to plan things most evenings. And I never drive alone even in the daytime. Sleep can be overwhelming before I realize it, though it is rare during the day. No other symptoms.
I was in a research program for Requip, and for me it was a disaster, with accompanying nausea, sleep interruption, and achy legs and arms! I had to drop out. Now my insurance company has Requip in its formulary, and has dropped Mirapex! Woe is me...
Regarding another person's comment, I find the computer eliminates almost completely my RLS
while I sit at it!
Barbara Friedman
81 years old female
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-21 20:59:34
Question/Comment:
I take mirapex for restless leg and fibromyalgia. It helps me a lot especially with the restless leg and energy levels.
I was wondering I am on 5 mg 2 in am 3 pm are there any problems with higher dosages? And has there been any problems reported with length of time that you are on it?
Thank You
59 yr young female
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-21 11:41:42
Question/Comment:
Is Mirapex really available in generic form?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-17 10:11:58
Member Answer/Reply:
I think there are no generics yet, and Medicare has removed it from its Formulary. I wish we could reverse that decision, since Mirapex makes life bearable for so many seniors!
81 year old female
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-21 21:12:45
Member Answer/Reply:
There are no generics yet for Mirapex. I take it for RLS and couldn't get by a night without it. Humana also dropped it. I don't understand why. There is nothing else to replace it with that works for me.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-18 17:59:26
Member Answer/Reply:
The generic for Mirapex is: Pramipexoledihydrochloride. It is on a box of Mirapex.
But for some reason the generic is NOT listed on the formulary list. I was under
the impression that if 'DAW' is checked on the perscription, the generic if
available is supposed to be used.
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-09 00:03:52
Member Answer/Reply:
My other comment is, until it is listed on the formulary at an acceptable level, ask you neurologist or PCP for SAMPLES!
BF, 81
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-24 14:22:31
Member Answer/Reply:
I gues my first answer was never printed since I had not logged in! Read this ABOVE my 2ns "reply" above, so it makes sense!
The main ingredeient of MIRAPEX is indeed Pramipexoledihydrochloride, but it is not generically available yet! Nor will it be until the patent is much older!
I am fighting the formulary now with Medicare, and suggest others who are affected or not helped by ropinerole (Requip) do likewise to try to get the "deciders" to change the formulary to include Mirapex at a lower copay level as it was last year! I guess no one on their decision board suffers from RLS!
BF, female, 81 (50 years + of RLS until Mirapex!)
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-24 14:32:19
Member Answer/Reply:
The latest I could find since I answered twice today is:
BARR Pharmaceuticals has applied to the FDA for permission to produce the generic form, but so far....and that was I believe August, 2008. Canada is permitting it only for Parkinsons Disease, but at least someone is trying!
BF
83 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-24 14:55:26
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed with RLS two years ago. Mirapex 1.5 mg. is the only medication that works for me (all other related meds have failed). I understand that only 2% of the population gets the side effects. I am one of them: I get most all of the side effects -- primarily drowsiness; and I have to be careful. If it happens unexpectedly, I have to stop driving and sleep. I also have Sleep Apnea, which combined with other medications I take (i.e., Cymbalta), puts me in a precarious position. But Restless Leg is the most troubling condition, and I can't be without Mirapex. If there is a new product (prescription) on the market, I'd like to know about it. Female, age 63
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-15 11:46:56
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Mirapex for over a year, for RLS. I think of it as a miracle drug! The only time I am bothered with the RLS now is when I sit at the computer too long! The relief was experienced very quickly, once I started the Mirapex, and has continued to provide most appreciated relief. I have not noticed any side effects.
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-09 23:29:33
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Mirapex.50mg for over a year now and like many have said it is a miracle drug. I went for years with rides in cars, going to bed only to get out and have to walk because of RLS. At the time I was not aware of what was happening with me only of what my grandmother told me of her experience of having to have to but boots on at night in order to sleep. Then I hear of Mirapex and once I took it all the RLS went alway. It is like going to heaven to be be able to sleep without RLS. I have no insurance and no job and I have to pay $119.00 per month out of pocket with no job Mirapex turned me down for any help. I will eat roman noddle and peanut butter and jelly then go without this. Trust me this works.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-05-30 23:01:36
Question/Comment:
I found out by accident that I become flat-on-my-back disabled sick if I drink any significant amount of alcohol and then take my usual does of 1.5 mg mirapex for RLS. I'm not surprised that alcohol is a bad idea with a prescription drug. I'm just surprised that there is no warning included with the medicine bottle. One time I forgot and had several mixed drinks in the late afternoon when I was on vacation. I took the mirapex at dinner, lost my appetite and then became so sick I vomited and had to spend the night in a motel rather than even be driven back to our vacation cabin, so bad was the nausea and loss of muscle tone. Any one else have such an experience?
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-03 06:17:29
Member Answer/Reply:
If you check out the government site of www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a697029.html. it does say that the medicine can cause nausea and when mixed with alcohol side effects can be increased. This is a very good site to check on all of your medications and conditions.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-26 12:10:23
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Taking alcohol with this medication will increase the chance that Mirapex will make you feel sleepy or fall asleep when you should be awake. Nausea and muscle weak has also been reported with Mirapex. It is a good idea to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
Posted: 2009-04-03 18:28:48
Question/Comment:
I have found it to be helpful to me in the relief of my RLS thus far. Prior to taking Mirapex I was not able to sleep comfortably or to get a good night sleep without being wakened constantly from shooting pains and locked joints prior to the start of treatment. I still have some pain, but it is not as nearly as bad as it once was nand I have been on the medication for about 4months now.
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-15 00:45:01
Question/Comment:
Is there any evidence that taking Mirapex causes hypertension?
67 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-05 14:32:25
Member Answer/Reply:
Yes. Mirapex can cause sudden changes in BP in both directions. Elevations are more common in the edlerly.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-16 10:55:49
Question/Comment:
I've been on Mirapex 25mg almost 2 years for Parkinson Disease. I haven't had any problems.
But I noticed I don't have any cramps in my calfs at night. I don't know if I can contribute
it to the Mirapex or not but I sleep well.
67 year old male
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-25 22:33:23
Question/Comment:
I've been on Mirapex 25mg almost 2 years for Parkinson Disease. I havent had any bad effects
from it, but I dont have cramps in my calf during the night whicj I had in the past. I don't know
if its from the Mirapex or not, but I sleep well.
67year old male
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-25 21:41:35
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Mirapex for 1 month and I sleep a lot better. The only problem that I have it costs around $280.00 for 90 days and I have no insurance for medicine. At the present I have been told the V.A. is going to honor my prescription. I have been waiting nearly a month for that to happen. In the meantime I have been taking the sample packages the last month. I am confident that it will work. I hear there is a generic? Anyone know what it is called?
83 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-23 09:36:17
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The generic of Mirapex is Pramipexole. It is produced by Barr Pharmaceuticals.
Posted: 2008-12-01 14:58:23
Member Answer/Reply:
If you have access to Mexican pharmacies, as I do living in Phoenix, Mirapex generic Sifrol .5 mg is $30 (American dollars) for 30 tabs. I cut them in half cuz my dosage is .25 making my monthly cost $15. This is the only way I can afford to take it and it truly does help - no more restless legs at night, therefore a much better sleep, therefore much less fibro pain. Good luck.
75 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-27 14:25:30
Member Answer/Reply:
Try www.medfinder.com for a listing of outside the US pharmacies.
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-03 06:08:41
Question/Comment:
Mirapex helped me so much. I would take 1 pill in the afternoon and 2 pills at night that seemed to control my rls. I tried requip but the side affects were to bad. My doctor took me off my mirapex because i am pregnant and now i just feel completly awfull.
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-20 05:04:59
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Mirapex for about 2 years. I have severe RLS, and the Mirapex controls it very well. I have had no side effects from the drug, and I take 1/2 of a 0.5 tablet around 9 am and a whole 0.5 tablet around 9 pm. 77 year old female.
79 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-19 23:19:57
Question/Comment:
I just started taking Mirapex for tremors in my hands.Since then I have started to get chest pains,lightheadedness,and lots of gas pains. I also find I have problems eating where I'll take 1 or 2 bites and get pains in my chest. I think I'm going to stop it
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-09 07:45:11
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