What it is used for

Parkinson's disease, on its own or with levodopa
Moderate to severe restless legs syndrome

Read our guides:

Parkinson's disease

Off-label uses

Doctors sometimes prescribe a medicine for a condition it is not officially licensed for. This is called off-label use. It is legal and common when there is good evidence it helps, and your doctor should explain why they are suggesting it.

Treatment-resistant depression, under a specialist

How it works

Pramipexole copies the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger that is low in Parkinson's disease. It stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain, improving movement.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Pramipexole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many are mild and ease after the first few weeks.

Common side effects

feeling sick
feeling sleepy
dizziness
swollen legs
uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia)
seeing things that are not there

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you or do not go away.

Serious side effects

These are rare. Call 111 or contact your doctor straight away if you get:

falling asleep suddenly without warning
urges you cannot control, such as gambling, shopping, eating or a high sex drive
confusion, paranoia or feeling agitated

Call 999 if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.

You can report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme, run by the medicines regulator.

Stopping and withdrawal

Important safety information

Tell your doctor straight away about any new urges or behaviour changes. Family members may notice them first.
Do not drive if you get sudden sleepiness.
In restless legs syndrome, symptoms can get worse over time (augmentation). Tell your doctor if this happens.

Questions about your medicine?

A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines for free, without an appointment. You can also ask your GP for a medication review. Check if you can get free prescriptions.