Capacities of the dopamine receptor agonist pramipexole in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease

• Main Author: S N Illarioshkin
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: IMA-PRESS LLC 2012-06-01
• Series: Nevrologiâ, Nejropsihiatriâ, Psihosomatika
• Subjects: parkinson’s disease; treatment; dopamine receptor agonists; pramipexole
• Online Access: https://nnp.ima-press.net/nnp/article/view/129

Dopaminergic stimulation with levodopa, a biological precursor of dopamine precursor, and dopamine receptor agonists (DRA) remains the leading pharmacotherapeutic strategy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The long-term use of levodopa is associated with the development of characteristic fluctuations in its symptoms and drug-induced dyskinesias so DRA are the drugs of choice and may be used alone and as part of combination therapy in a number of cases of parkinsonism in young patients in particular. Pramipexole (mirapex) is one of the most effective representatives of non-ergoline DRA, which has an extensive evidence base. The paper analyzes the heterodirectional properties of pramipexole in detail and its effect on motor (including tremor) and nonmotor (depression) manifestations of PD and discusses the possible neuroprotective action of the drug. It also separately considers the potential of the new unique 24-hour controlled release formulation: the administration of the drug considerably reduces the dose titration period and enhances patient compliance.