ABSTRACT
Pramipexole pharmacotherapy may be prescribed for the symptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease alone or in combination with levodopa pharmacotherapy. Generally, combination pramipexole and levodopa pharmacotherapy can effect a reduction in the dosage of levodopa. Concurrent alcohol use may increase the CNS depressant action of pramipexole. Advise patients to avoid, or limit, their use of alcohol while receiving pramipexole pharmacotherapy. Pramipexole pharmacotherapy commonly has been associated with the following ADRs: a reduction or loss of strength generally associated with muscular or cerebellar disease, constipation, dizziness, dyspepsia, hallucinations, insomnia, malaise, nausea, and somnolence. Elderly patients, in particular, appear to be at increased risk for pramipexole-induced hallucinations and should be informed of the possible occurrence of this ADR prior to the initiation of pramipexole pharmacotherapy. In the absence of reported clinical experience with pramipexole overdosage, it should be treated as a medical emergency requiring symptomatic medical support of body systems with attention to increasing pramipexole elimination.
