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Does Sinemet Or Mirapex Have Lesser Side Effects?
Question: My mom is currently taking Sinemet and Mirapex for her Parkinsons. she was having high blood pressure, dizziness, and severe headache a week ago and was admitted to the hospital. The neurologist advised to stop Mirapex. After she stopped Mirapex for a day, her dizziness was lessened and headache was gone. After about 2 days being discharged from the hospital, my mom noticed that her right leg shakes.
Is it still possible to get a higher dosage of Sinemet and not take Mirapex? My mom is worried that it will cause her dizziness and headaches again if she takes Mirapex again.
Is it still possible to get a higher dosage of Sinemet and not take Mirapex? My mom is worried that it will cause her dizziness and headaches again if she takes Mirapex again.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Both Sinemet and Mirapex increase the action of a neurotransmitter called dopamine which is not being produced enough in these patients. Sinemet acts by simply replacing it, it contains dopamine, while Mirapex acts by influencing their receptors, it mimmicks dopamine action.
Sinemet does have a good effect and very probably increasing the dosage as you say would be effective. However the issue with such a drug is that it has been shown that after the worry free first years after 5-10 years it's not as effective any more, its effect wears off more quickly, and more side effects. That is why it is preferred not to use too much of it too soon, increase dosage only when really necessary, in order to delay those complications appearing as much as possible. Drugs like Mirapex are used for that purpose to be able to achieve as much efficacy with as little Sinemet as possible.
So (while you give no info on the actual dosage) I wouldn't go to a higher dosage directly. I would try one of 2 approaches. One would be keeping the same dosage of Sinemet but fragmenting it, so that if the issue is the wearing off quickly symptoms appearing between doses it may be spread better over time. The other approach would be resuming Mirapex, but very gradually increasing it and keeping a lower final dosage.
Of course these suggestions are given for the present, but you should consult your neurologist. Parkinson's is a chronic long standing disorder so it is necessary to be regularly followed by a neurologist over time to follow both symptom evolution as well medication choice and dosage as therapy is often about minor dosage modifications over the months/years.
I remain at your dsposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Both Sinemet and Mirapex increase the action of a neurotransmitter called dopamine which is not being produced enough in these patients. Sinemet acts by simply replacing it, it contains dopamine, while Mirapex acts by influencing their receptors, it mimmicks dopamine action.
Sinemet does have a good effect and very probably increasing the dosage as you say would be effective. However the issue with such a drug is that it has been shown that after the worry free first years after 5-10 years it's not as effective any more, its effect wears off more quickly, and more side effects. That is why it is preferred not to use too much of it too soon, increase dosage only when really necessary, in order to delay those complications appearing as much as possible. Drugs like Mirapex are used for that purpose to be able to achieve as much efficacy with as little Sinemet as possible.
So (while you give no info on the actual dosage) I wouldn't go to a higher dosage directly. I would try one of 2 approaches. One would be keeping the same dosage of Sinemet but fragmenting it, so that if the issue is the wearing off quickly symptoms appearing between doses it may be spread better over time. The other approach would be resuming Mirapex, but very gradually increasing it and keeping a lower final dosage.
Of course these suggestions are given for the present, but you should consult your neurologist. Parkinson's is a chronic long standing disorder so it is necessary to be regularly followed by a neurologist over time to follow both symptom evolution as well medication choice and dosage as therapy is often about minor dosage modifications over the months/years.
I remain at your dsposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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