Prescription medication · Dopamine Agonist
pramipexole
Also sold as Mirapex. This medicine treats Parkinson's disease.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 14,399
- FDA reportsModerately reported
- 2
- InteractionsFew interactions
- $0.04
- Generic price (NADAC)
What the data shows
pramipexole (Mirapex) is a prescription Dopamine Agonist, reported less often than most tracked drugs (14,399 FDA reports), with 2 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
pramipexole (Mirapex) is a prescription Dopamine Agonist. This medicine treats Parkinson's disease.
Pramipexole extended-release tablets help treat Parkinson's disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.04/unit
Generic Available
Yes (13 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats Parkinson's disease.
Common side effects
Feeling sleepy, Feeling sick to your stomach, Constipation
Key warnings
Pramipexole can make you fall asleep suddenly, even during normal daily activities.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from pramipexole's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Pramipexole works by acting like dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps control movement. By mimicking dopamine, this medicine helps reduce Parkinson's symptoms.
How to Take It
Take pramipexole extended-release tablets once a day. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not chew, crush, or divide it. Your doctor may change your dose over time.
This is a plain-language summary of pramipexole's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
This medicine may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Pramipexole may also reduce breast milk production.
This is a plain-language summary of pramipexole's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of pramipexole's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature (68° to 77°F) and keep away from high humidity. Keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 14,399 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for pramipexole, by number of reports
- Falling down
Falling down
1,066 reports
- Feeling tired
Feeling tired
1,043 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
832 reports
- Aches and pains
Aches and pains
795 reports
- Condition getting worse
Condition getting worse
788 reports
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
Seeing or hearing things that are not there
754 reports
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
734 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
710 reports
- Uncontrolled movements
Uncontrolled movements
643 reports
- Trouble walking
Trouble walking
642 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for pramipexole each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where pramipexole sits
pramipexole has more FDA adverse-event reports than 47% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is pramipexole; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 14,399 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
14,399
Reports Mentioning Death
1,206
8.4% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
5,034
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | FALL | 1,066 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 1,043 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 832 |
| 5 | PAIN | 795 |
| 6 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 788 |
| 7 | HALLUCINATION | 754 |
| 9 | DIZZINESS | 734 |
| 10 | DYSPNOEA | 710 |
| 11 | DYSKINESIA | 643 |
| 12 | GAIT DISTURBANCE | 642 |
| 13 | HEADACHE | 593 |
| 14 | TREMOR | 576 |
| 15 | DEATH | 565 |
| 16 | INSOMNIA | 563 |
| 17 | ASTHENIA | 533 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Pramipexole can make you fall asleep suddenly, even during normal daily activities. Tell your doctor if this happens. Pramipexole can also cause compulsive behaviors like gambling or overeating. Watch for these changes and tell your doctor if they occur.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Dopamine antagonists: May diminish the effectiveness of pramipexole (7.1). 7.1 Dopamine Antagonists Since pramipexole is a dopamine agonist, it is possible that dopamine antagonists, such as the neuroleptics (phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes) or metoclopramide, may diminish the effectiveness of pramipexole dihydrochloride extended-release tablets.
Mechanism: Pramipexole works by acting like dopamine in the brain, while dopamine antagonists block those same spots. Because they work against each other, the antagonist can stop pramipexole from working correctly.
What to do: Your doctor may need to avoid using these drugs together or adjust your treatment because they can cancel each other out.
7.1 Dopamine Antagonists Since pramipexole is a dopamine agonist, it is possible that dopamine antagonists, such as the neuroleptics (phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes) or metoclopramide, may diminish the effectiveness of pramipexole dihydrochloride extended-release tablets.
Mechanism: Metoclopramide blocks the same receptors that pramipexole is trying to activate. This prevents pramipexole from doing its job effectively.
What to do: Talk to your doctor before taking these together, as metoclopramide may make your pramipexole treatment less effective.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I cut the tablet in half?
What should I do if I feel dizzy?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
What if I start having hallucinations?
Can I drive while taking this medicine?
What should I do if I develop new or worsening uncontrolled movements?
Is it okay to suddenly stop taking this medicine?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can this medicine affect my blood pressure?
What are the common side effects of pramipexole?
Does pramipexole interact with other medications?
What drug class is pramipexole?
Is pramipexole safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Dopamine Agonist
Other drugs grouped near pramipexole - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with pramipexole →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with pramipexole →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with pramipexole →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with pramipexole →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with pramipexole →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on pramipexole
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for pramipexole
The FDA label for pramipexole (sold under brand names such as Mirapex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Dopamine Agonist class. This medicine treats Parkinson's disease. Official labeling lists 12 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling sleepy, Feeling sick to your stomach, Constipation.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 14,399 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.04.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 31, 2021
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages