Ramipex 0.25mg Pramipexole dihydrochloride

Ramipex general information

What is Ramipex used for?

Ramipex tablets 0.25mg are used to treat symptoms of primary Parkinson's disease, which is progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system, with symptoms including tremor and stiffness, that can affect posture and facial expressions, slowness of movement and difficulty talking.  It usually affects older people and is known as idiopathic, which means that its cause is unknown.  Ramipex tablets 0.25mg help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease but does not cure the disease and it can be used alone or in combination with levodopa, another medication for Parkinsons Disease.  Ramipex tablets 0.25mg are also used to treat symptoms of idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which is common neurological disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs due to unpleasant sensations including, pulling, throbbing or creeping.  These sensations also known as paresthesias (abnormal sensations) or dysesthesias (unpleasant abnormal sensations) range in severity from irritating to painful and can be disruptive to normal activities.  Symptoms of RLS often worsen at night when at rest and can result in sleep problems, leading to sleep deprivation and exhaustion.  Ramipex tablets 0.25mg work by the same mechanism of action to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease and RLS.

How does Ramipex work?

Ramipex tablets 0.25mg contain pramipexole, a dopamine agonist that acts directly on dopamine receptors in the brain.  The abnormal movements associated with Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical that allows communication between nerve cells) produced by certain cells in the brain that play an important role in controlling muscle function and movement.  It is important to have the correct levels of dopamine for the muscles to function normally and low levels of dopamine seen in Parkinson's disease are due to the slow and progressive destruction of the nerve cells (neurons) that produce dopamine in a certain area of the brain called the substantia nigra.  Pramipexole in Ramipex tablets 0.25mg stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain, which triggers nerve impulses that help control motor function and body movement.   Dopamine dysfunction in terms of reduced stimulation of the dopamine receptor is also thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of Restless Legs Syndrome.  Pramipexole in Ramipex tablets 0.25mg helps relieve symptoms by improving dopamine levels. 

What does Ramipex contain?

Ramipex tablets contain the active ingredient pramipexole hydrochloride monohydrate 0.25mg, a dopamine agonist used to treat Parkinson's disease. They also contain colloidal silicon dioxide, magnsium stearate, maize starch, mannitol, povidone.

Treating Parkinson's disease with Ramipex

Parkinson's disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system, with symptoms including tremor and stiffness that can affect posture and facial expressions, slowness of movement and difficulty talking.  It usually affects older people and is known as idiopathic, which means that its cause is unknown.  The abnormal movements associated with Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical that allows communication between nerve cells) produced by certain cells in the brain that play an important role in controlling muscle function and movement.  It is important to have the correct levels of dopamine for the muscles to function normally and low levels of dopamine seen in Parkinson's disease are due to the slow and progressive destruction of the nerve cells (neurons) that produce dopamine in a certain area of the brain called the substantia nigra.  Pramipexole in Ramipex tablets 0.25mg stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain, which triggers nerve impulses that help control motor function and body movement.  Ramipex tablets 0.25mg help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease but does not cure the disease and it can be used alone or in combination with levodopa, another medication for Parkinsons Disease.  

What are the side effects of Ramipex?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Ramipex tablets 0.25mg include, abnormal dreams, confusion, constipation, delusion, dizziness, dyskinesias, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, hyperkinesias, hypotension (low blood pressure), insomnia, libido disorders, nausea, peripheral oedema, weight loss.  Behavioural changes can occur, like pathological gambling, hypersexuality, increased libido, binge eating.

When should Ramipex not be used?

You should not use Ramipex tablets 0.25mg if you:

• are allergic to pramipexole or any ingredients in Ramipex
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease, without discussion with your doctor
• if you need to drive or use machinery due to side effects
• are taking medicines that interact with Ramipex including sedating medication or alcohol, cimetidine for reflux, antipsychotic medications

What medications interact with Ramipex?

Several medications interact with Ramipex tablets 0.25mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Ramipex or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Ramipex: including sedating medication or alcohol
• Drugs that affect Ramipex: cimetidine for reflux, antipsychotics
• Drugs that are affected by Ramipex: antipsychotic medications

How should Ramipex be taken?

For Parkinson's disease you should take your Ramipex tablets 0.25mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food and the dose you take should be as recommended by your doctor and be taken three times a day. You should continue to take your Ramipex tablets 0.25mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and when you are due to stop taking your medication the dose should be reduced slowly and not suddenly discontinued.  For restless leg syndrome you should take your Ramipex tablets 0.25mg once daily 2-3 hours before bedtime and the dose you take should be as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Ramipex?

You should continue to take your Ramipex tablets 0.25mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and when you are due to stop taking your medication the dose should be reduced slowly and not suddenly discontinued. 

Missed dose of Ramipex

If you miss a dose of Ramipex tablets 0.25mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.  

How should Ramipex be stored?

You should store your Ramipex below 25°C in a cool dry place.