| Indication |
For the treatment of signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease |
| Pharmacodynamics |
Pramipexole is a nonergot dopamine agonist with high relative in vitro
specificity and full intrinsic activity at the D2 subfamily of dopamine
receptors, binding with higher affinity to D3 than to D2 or D4 receptor
subtypes. The relevance of D3 receptor binding in Parkinson's disease
is unknown. The precise mechanism of action of Pramipexole as a
treatment for Parkinson's disease is unknown, although it is believed to
be related to its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors in the
striatum. This conclusion is supported by electrophysiologic studies in
animals that have demonstrated that Pramipexole influences striatal
neuronal firing rates via activation of dopamine receptors in the
striatum and the substantia nigra, the site of neurons that send
projections to the striatum. |
| Mechanism of action |
The precise mechanism of action of Pramipexole as a treatment for
Parkinson's disease is unknown, although it is believed to be related to
its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors in the striatum. |
| Absorption |
Rapid. Absolute bioavailability is greater than 90%, indicating
that pramipexole is well absorbed and undergoes little presystemic
metabolism. Food does not affect the extent of absorption. |
| Volume of distribution |
|
| Protein binding |
About 15% bound to plasma proteins. |
| Metabolism |
No metabolites have been identified in plasma or urine. |
| Route of elimination |
Urinary excretion is the major route of pramipexole elimination,
with 90% of a pramipexole dose recovered in urine, almost all as
unchanged drug. Nonrenal routes may contribute to a small extent to
pramipexole elimination, although no metabolites have been identified in
plasma or urine. |
| Half life |
8 hours |
| Clearance |
|
| Toxicity |
Not Available |
