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To All, There are a number of people who have taken part in the trials, I am sure they will write about their experiences with pramipexole. Meanwhile, here is a description. pramipexole / Mirapex(R), ANTIPARKINSON: Dopamine agonist: TRIAL PHASE Patients in the United States, Canada and Europe have been treated with pramipexole in doses ranging from 0.1 mg to 5 mg daily. No dose-limiting toxicity was identified. Tolerability and safety were excellent with only occasional dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia or somnolence and visual hallucinations identified as primary side effects. Symptomatic low blood pressure was not a significant side effect. The half-life of pramipexole is about 9-12 hours, easily allowing a three times a day schedule. The drug is excreted by the kidneys so that patients with kidney problems may need to be monitored closely for side effects. Pramipexole is a potent, non-ergot dopamine agonist used alone in treating patients not yet taking levodopa and as an adjunct to levodopa in treating advanced Parkinson's disease patients. While stimulating the dopamine D2-receptor, pramipexole may be effective in either blocking or selectively not stimulating the D1-receptor, thereby preventing dyskinesia. More recently, a specific dopamine D3 receptor activity has been identified and linked to a neurotrophic effect. In tissue culture models of Parkinson's disease, pramipexole protected neurons from specific dopaminergic neurotoxins, while bromocriptine and pergolide had no such effect. Pramipexole may also delay the need for levodopa and the development of dyskinesla. End of dose wearing off is reduced in patients with more advanced disease receiving pramipexole and levodopa. Patients in the United States, Canada and Europe have been treated with pramipexole in doses ranging from 0.1 mg to 5 mg daily. No dose-limiting toxicity was identified. Tolerability and safety were excellent with only occasional dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia or somnolence and visual hallucinations identified as primary side effects. Symptomatic low blood pressure was not a significant side effect. The half-life of pramipexole is about 9-12 hours, easily allowing a three times a day schedule. The drug is excreted by the kidneys so that patients with kidney problems may need to be monitored closely for side effects. Margaret Tuchman(55yrs,dx1980) --NEW JERSEY [log in to unmask] *******************************************************************