Mirapexin®/ Sifrol® (pramipexole)
Why is this drug prescribed?
Although it is not a cure, Mirapexin eases the symptoms of Parkinson's disease--a progressive disorder marked by muscle rigidity, weakness, shaking, tremor, and eventually difficulty with walking and talking. Parkinson's disease results from a shortage of the chemical messenger dopamine in certain areas of the brain. Mirapexin is believed to work by boosting the action of whatever dopamine is available. The drug can be used for treating Restless Legs Syndrome, which is also linked to dopamine levels in the brain.
Number of Deaths from Drug – 14 (source: europa.eu)
SIDE EFFECTS:
What side effects may occur?
• More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, arthritis, chest pain, confusion, constipation, decreased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking, dizziness, dizziness upon standing, drowsiness, dry mouth, hallucinations, increased muscle tone, increased urination, insomnia, involuntary movement (jerky motions), lack of appetite, memory loss, nasal inflammation, nausea, swelling, urinary tract infections, vision abnormalities, weakness
• Less common side effects may include:
Decreased sex drive, Increased sex drive, delusions, difficulty swallowing, fever, general feeling of illness, impotence, inability to hold urine, muscle spasms or twitching, pneumonia, skin disorders, thinking abnormalities, uncontrollable restlessness, unfounded suspicions, weight loss, compulsive behaviours – gambling shopping#
• Rarer side effects may include:
Abnormal ejaculation, abnormal heartbeat, agitation, blood clots, blood in urine, blood circulation problems, convulsions, difficult or painful urination, enlarged abdomen, eye disorders, heart attack, heart problems, joint problems, lung problems, mental illness, muscular problems, prostate problems, severe chest pain (angina), thirst
#
http://www.drugs.com/news/compulsive-behaviors-linked-mirapex-pramipexole-1492.html
At this point it is important to note that there are alternatives to using Mirapexin for Parkinson’s Disease or Restless Legs Syndrome, (RLS). One of these is Cannabis; please follow links for more information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6338173.stm
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/august182007/leveque_med_restless_81807.php
CANNABIS
Cannabis is naturally occurring substance that can act as a relaxant and mild hallucinogenic.
When smoked, the effects are usually felt fairly quickly with people feeling more relaxed, happy and generally laid back.
Strong cannabis can also lead to pointless giggling, loss of inhibitions and an enhanced appreciation of music and colours.
Reported deaths: According to Drug War Facts, the answer is 0.
An exhaustive search of the literature finds no credible reports of deaths induced by cannabis.
EFFECTS LIST
The effects of smoking cannabis are usually lighter than those of many other recreational psychoactive substances. People are generally capable of carrying out normal actions and activities while high.
POSITIVE
- mood lift, euphoria
- laughter
- relaxation, stress reduction
- creative, philosophical, abstract, or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
- increased appreciation or awareness of music; deeper connection to music; increased emotional impact of music
- increased awareness of senses (eating, drinking, smell)
- change in experience of muscle fatigue; pleasant body feel; increase in body/mind connection
- pain relief (headaches, cramps)
- reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
- boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny
NEUTRAL
- general change in consciousness
- increased appetite,
- slowness (slow driving, talking)
- change in vision, such as sharpened colours or lights
- closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
- tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
- stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
- blood-shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
- mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
- interruption of linear memory; difficulty following a train of thought
- cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
- racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
- time sense altered (for example, cars seem like they are moving too fast); time dilation and compression are common at higher doses
NEGATIVE
- coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems *
- difficulty with short-term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D'Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)
- racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
- mild to severe anxiety **
- panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
- headaches
- dizziness, confusion
- light-headedness
- paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
- possible psychological dependence on cannabis
- clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
- can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders
*It must be noted that Cannabis, more specifically 9-THC and, to a lesser extent, delta 8-THC, have been studied and found to work as a bronchodilator and therefore of benefit to people with Asthma,
http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=44
** Cannabis has been reported as useful for people suffering with anxiety, with users reporting most of the anxiety experienced was due to the legal status of it. In a recent survey of Cannabis users over 60% stated that any anxiety they experienced using Cannabis was due to the fact that it is currently illegal in their country.
We would also like to point out at this time that any treatment plan should not be commenced without proper research. Unfortunately due to Cannabis being illegal it prevents people finding out about the use of Cannabis for medical conditions, removing choice and possibly freedom from the condition from the sufferer.
