Mirapex: A Miracle Treatment with Troubling Effects for Some – Parkinson’s News Today

Mirapex(pramipexole), a common treatment forParkinsons disease, is believed to work by boosting the action of whatever dopamine is available, which is low in people with Parkinsons. It is a dopamine agonist that directly stimulates nerves in the brain that are not naturally being stimulated by dopamine.

Several years ago, my doctor diagnosed me with Parkinsons. Immediately, he placed me on Mirapex(pramipexole dihydrochloride). I cant say that Ive had a problem with this particular medication, except that sometimes I felt as if I could lie down right where I was and have a glorious nap about half an hour after taking it.

Although I havent had many side effects, others have. Just as PD affects each individual differently, so do the medications.

My reactions were mild, and yet at each checkup, my doctor did not fail to ask if I had started having addictive behaviors with gambling, shopping, or sex. Fortunately, I was able to answer no to his questions, but that is not the case with three people I became acquainted with through a PD support group I belong to through Facebook.I am going to call them Cora, Jim, and Carl.

Coras father is a PD patient and has taken Mirapex for two years. During this time, he developed serious gambling problems, delusions, and hallucinations.

Meanwhile, Jim had been taking Mirapex for restless leg syndrome (RLS), often a complication of PD. He read up on some undesirable side effects that included compulsive gambling, excessive spending, and compulsive, excessive sexual behavior.

What disturbed Jim most was that patients taking Mirapexoften are unaware that a change is occurring. Jim began engaging in several of these atypical behaviors. He was unaware that they were actually becoming addictive behaviors. Fortunately for Jim, his doctor recognized that Mirapex was causing the addictions. Jim thought he was the only one with these side effects until his doctor put him in touch with Carl.

Carl first noticed his bowel movements had changed and constipation was regular. He gained 40 pounds in the first five months and couldnt sleep. He understood it was the medication but had another issue: He was embarrassed by the things he couldnt seem to quit doing. He never read the informational insert inside the drug box. He was just following the doctors orders.

Carl began to lose control sexually, and his internet use became an outlet for improperbehavior. He was ashamed and felt isolated in his problem. He went to seea new neurologist and discovered he wasnt alone. Several other PD patients who were prescribed Mirapex were dealing with similarissues. [Such extreme side effects in Mirapex users are considered unusual, but are known and reported. Heres theMayo Clinics list of common and uncommon reactions; heres a similar oneonDrugs.com. The possibility of unusual urges gambling, compulsive eating, compulsive buying, and increased sex drive is alsonoted on Mirapexs onlineinformation page.]

Carls neurologist diagnosed the problemand hestoppedthe drug. Sheryl, however, lost everything to gambling before learningthe likely cause ofher problem. After her house, savings, retirement, husband and children were gone, and she found herself taking money from the church offering, she sought help. Her doctor, too, took her off Mirapex, and her gambling urges ceased.

I also came to know a woman Ill call Becky. Herstory isnt as devastating, unless you count Beckys painting the outside of her house 17 times in one year.

While the incidenceof such behavior is low psychiatric effects are estimated to involve 0.1% to 1% of all PD and RLS Mirapex users it istroubling. So why do physicians continue to prescribe such a drug?

According to the website CanadianMedsUSA, Mirapex eases the symptoms of Parkinsons disease, a progressive disorder marked by muscle rigidity, weakness, shaking, tremor, and eventually difficulty with walking and talking. Parkinsons disease results from a shortage of the chemical messenger dopamine in certain areas of the brain. Mirapex is believed to work by boosting the action of whatever dopamine is available.

With relief like that, its hard to not want to take it. It also is a miracle drug of sorts for RLS, providing relief almost instantaneously.

Chances are that your doctor will prescribe Mirapex if your diagnosis is PD or RLS, and most likely you will experience some sort of side effect while youre on it. It is extremely important to keep the communication open between you and your doctor and to make sure youre checking in regularly.

Each case is different. Dont hesitate to seek help if you begin to notice changes or to feel different. You may be fine. It may be nothing. Nevertheless,your health is ultimately your responsibility and hesitation could be costly. Be proactive in your care. It could be what saves your family, your job, and your life.

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Note:Parkinsons News Todayis strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis ortreatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, ortreatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those ofParkinsons News Todayor its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinsons disease.

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Mirapex: A Miracle Treatment with Troubling Effects for Some - Parkinson's News Today