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Pramipexole (Mirapex) is a non-ergot selective dopamine receptor agonist that has been used since 1997 for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. It is now labeled for the treatment of moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS),1 which is defined as having symptoms at least two to three days per week for at least three months and having a baseline score higher than 15 on the 40-point International Restless Legs Syndrome Study G group Rating Scale.2
SAFETY
Adverse effects occur less often with the lower doses of pramipexole used to treat RLS than with the higher doses used to treat Parkinson's disease. Approximately 6 percent of patients with Parkinson's disease who are treated with pramipexole have reported daytime drowsiness compared with 3 percent of those treated with placebo. Case reports have described episodes of falling asleep while engaged in normal activities, including driving. This sudden somnolence may occur up to one year after starting treatment and may not be preceded by warning signs.3 These events have only been reported by patients treated with pramipexole for Parkinson's disease, and not by patients treated for RLS. To minimize the risk of daytime somnolence, patients should be given the lowest effective dose.3
Hallucinations, pathologic gambling and other compulsive behaviors, and orthostatic hypotension are uncommon in patients taking higher doses of pramipexole for Parkinson's disease and are seen even less in patients taking...