Parkinson's Disease

Important information About Pramipexole

	Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pramipexole may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or falling asleep while performing activities of daily living, sometimes without warning . If you experience increased drowsiness or dizziness, or episodes of falling asleep while performing activities of daily living (e.g., watching television, riding in a car, etc.), do not drive or participate in potentially dangerous activities and contact your doctor.
	Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution to prevent a fall.
	Alcohol, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other medicines that cause drowsiness may increase the drowsiness caused by pramipexole, which could be dangerous. Do not use alcohol or take other medicines without first talking to your doctor.
	Hallucinations may occur with pramipexole, and may be more common in elderly patients. Call your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

Do Not Take Pramipexole If

	Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy with pramipexole.
	Pramipexole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pramipexole will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
	It is also not known whether pramipexole passes into breast milk. Pramipexole may reduce breast milk production. Do not take pramipexole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
	Hallucinations may be more likely to occur in patients older than 65 years of age.

Drug Overdose

Avoid while Taking Pramipexole

	Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pramipexole may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or falling asleep while performing activities of daily living, sometimes without warning . If you experience increased drowsiness or dizziness, or episodes of falling asleep while performing activities of daily living (e.g., watching television, riding in a car, etc.), do not drive or participate in potentially dangerous activities and contact your doctor.
	Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution to prevent a fall.
	Alcohol, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other medicines that cause drowsiness may increase the drowsiness caused by pramipexole. Do not take other medicines without first talking to your doctor.

Side Effects of Pramipexole

	Stop taking pramipexole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
	Notify your doctor immediately if you experience hallucinations, fainting, dizziness, drowsiness, falling asleep unexpectedly, or a blackout (especially when rising from a sitting or lying position). Your doctor may want to lower your dosage or discontinue this medication.

Continue to take pramipexole and talk to your doctor if you experience the following minor side effects.

	Mild nausea
	Vomiting
	Upset stomach
	Decreased appetite
	Constipation
	Dry mouth
	Sweating
	Headache
	Confusion
	Insomnia
	Agitation or anxiety

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking pramipexole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

	The stomach medicines cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or metoclopramide (Reglan);
	The heart medicines diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), verapamil (Verelan, Calan), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex, others);
	The malaria and leg cramp medicine quinine (Quinamm); or
	A medication used to treat mania, schizophrenia, other psychiatric conditions, and nausea and vomiting, such as Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), promazine (Sparine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thiothixene (Navane), haloperidol (Haldol), and others.
	You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
	Pramipexole may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if pramipexole is taken with any of these medications. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Other drugs may also interact with pramipexole. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbs without the approval of your doctor.