Mirapexin (pramipexole), the world’s most widely prescribed dopamine agonist for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is now available as a single 24-hour dose.

Bracknell, 20th October 2009 - Today sees the launch of a new once daily tablet of Mirapexin (pramipexole) prolonged release for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  For patients, this means added convenience in dosing. Research shows health professionals believe that one daily formulations may help people to take the right amount of their PD medicine each day as they only have to remember to take it once.

Many patients already taking Mirapexin in a three times a day form should be able to switch to the once daily prolonged release formulation overnight and studies support this with almost 85% of patients successfully switched to the once daily overnight.¹ In clinical trials, once daily Mirapexin prolonged release was as effective as the three times a day formulation at the same daily dose.²

PD is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects walking, talking and writing.  One of the symptoms of PD is an inability to control movement, which leads to slowness, stiffness and involuntary shaking of hands, legs and head. Mirapexin prolonged release has been proven to be an effective treatment in the control of motor symptoms at all stages of PD.^2-4

Up to two fifths of people who suffer from PD also suffer from low mood. Mirapexin can significantly reduce depressive symptoms associated with PD. ^5-7

Patients with PD are likely to be elderly and suffering from other conditions, such as back problems, arthritis and high blood pressure. Such conditions often require medication, which means that many patients will be taking several tablets at the same time and that may lead to confusion and missed doses.⁸ Studies have shown that the more complex the dosing regimens, the more likely it is that patients will not take their medication as instructed by their doctor.⁹

Professor Andrew Lees, University College London, comments, “Learning to accept and live with PD is crucially important to the long-term wellbeing of patients.  Having different treatment and dosing options so that patients can choose which best fits their lifestyle helps with this.”

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For more information please contact:
Jon Hearson
Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim
01344 74 2779 

Note to editors

Mirapexin (pramipexole) is manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer-Ingelheim.  Once daily Mirapexin is licensed for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic PD, used alone or in combination with levodopa.¹⁰

About Boehringer-Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and 41,300 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the independent, family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

In 2008, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 11.6 billion euro while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.

For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk

References
1. Rascol O et al. AAN 2009, 25 April – 2 May 2009; WA, USA. Abstract P06.152.
2. Salin et al. AAN 2009, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA Abstract P06.150.
3. Hauser R et al. AAN 2209, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA. Abstract S43.003. 4. Schapira A et al. MDS 13th International Congress 2009; Poster WE- 199.
5. Barone P et al. J Neurol 2006; 253:601-607.
6. Lemke MR et al. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2005; 17(2):214-220.
7. Barone P et al. AAN 2009, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA. Abstract S43.004. 8. Pohar SL, Allyson JC. The burden of Parkinson’s disease and concomitant comorbidities. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2009
9. Grosset D et al. Mov Disord 2009; 24:826-32
10. Mirapexin Prolonged Release Tablets SPC.

 

 

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