What is it and how is it used?
SIFROL belongs to a group of medicines known as dopamine agonists, which stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain. Stimulation of the dopamine receptors triggers nerve impulses in the brain that help to control body movements.
SIFROL is used to:
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not take SIFROL
Take special care with SIFROL
Tell your doctor if you have (had) or develop any medical conditions or symptoms, especially any of the following:
Children and adolescents
SIFROL is not recommended for use in children or adolescents under 18 years.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines, herbal remedies, health foods or supplements that you have obtained without a prescription.
You should avoid taking SIFROL together with antipsychotic medicines.
Take care if you are taking the following medicines:
If you are taking levodopa, the dose of levodopa is recommended to be reduced when you start treatment with SIFROL.
Take care if you are using any medicines that calm you down (have a sedative effect) or if you are drinking alcohol. In these cases SIFROL may affect your ability to drive and operate machinery.
Taking SIFROL with food and drink
You should be cautious while drinking alcohol during treatment with SIFROL.
SIFROL can be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or if you intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will then discuss with you if you should continue to take SIFROL.
The effect of SIFROL on the unborn child is not known. Therefore, do not take SIFROL if you are pregnant unless your doctor tells you to do so.
SIFROL should not be used during breast-feeding. SIFROL can reduce the production of breast milk. Also, it can pass into the breast milk and can reach your baby. If use of SIFROL is unavoidable, breast-feeding should be stopped.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
SIFROL can cause hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there). If affected, do not drive or use machines.
SIFROL has been associated with sleepiness and episodes of suddenly falling asleep, particularly in patients with Parkinson’s disease. If you experience these side effects, you must not drive or operate machinery. You should tell your doctor if this occurs.
How is it used?
Always take SIFROL exactly as your doctor has told you. The doctor will advise you on the right dosing.
You can take SIFROL with or without food. Swallow the tablets with water.
Parkinson’s disease
The daily dose is to be taken divided into 3 equal doses.
During the first week, the usual dose is 1 tablet SIFROL 0.088 mg three times a day (equivalent to 0.264 mg daily):

This will be increased every 5-7 days as directed by your doctor until your symptoms are controlled (maintenance dose).

The usual maintenance dose is 1.1 mg per day. However, your dose may have to be increased even further. If necessary, your doctor may increase your tablet dose up to a maximum of 3.3 mg of pramipexole a day. A lower maintenance dose of three SIFROL 0.088 mg tablets a day is also possible.

Patients with kidney disease
If you have moderate or severe kidney disease, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose. In this case, you will have to take the tablets only once or twice a day. If you have moderate kidney disease, the usual starting dose is 1 tablet SIFROL 0.088 mg twice a day. In severe kidney disease, the usual starting dose is just 1 tablet SIFROL 0.088 mg a day.
Restless Legs Syndrome
The dose is usually taken once a day, in the evening, 2-3 hours before bedtime.
During the first week, the usual dose is 1 tablet SIFROL 0.088 mg once a day (equivalent to 0.088 mg daily):

This will be increased every 4-7 days as directed by your doctor until your symptoms are controlled (maintenance dose).

The daily dose should not exceed 6 tablets SIFROL 0.088 mg or a dose of 0.54 mg (0.75 mg pramipexole salt).
If you stop taking your tablets for more than a few days and want to restart the treatment, you must start again at the lowest dose. You can then build up the dose again, as you did the first time. Ask your doctor for advice.
Your doctor will review your treatment after 3 months to decide whether or not to continue the treatment.
Patients with kidney disease
If you have severe kidney disease, SIFROL may not be a suitable treatment for you.
If you take more SIFROL than you should
If you accidentally take too many tablets,
If you forget to take SIFROL
Do not worry. Simply leave out that dose completely and then take your next dose at the right time. Do not try to make up for the missed dose.
If you stop taking SIFROL
Do not stop taking SIFROL without first talking to your doctor. If you have to stop taking this medicine, your doctor will reduce the dose gradually. This reduces the risk of worsening symptoms.
If you suffer from Parkinson’s disease you should not stop treatment with SIFROL abruptly. A sudden stop could cause you to develop a medical condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome which may represent a major health risk. The symptoms include:
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, SIFROL can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. eva luation of these side effects is based on the following frequencies:

If you suffer from Parkinson’s disease, you may experience the following side effects:
Very common:
Common:
Uncommon:
If you suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome, you may experience the following side effects:
Very common:
Common:
Uncommon:
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not take SIFROL after the expiry date which is stated on the pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original package to protect the tablets from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.