title: Pramipexole extended release: a novel treatment option in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Pramipexole, the most commonly prescribed dopamine agonist worldwide, meanwhile serves as a reference substance for evaluation of new drugs. Based on numerous clinical data and vast experiences, efficacy and safety profiles of this non-ergoline dopamine agonist are well characterized. Since October 2009, an extended-release formulation of pramipexole has been available for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease. Pramipexole administration can be cut down from three times to once a day due to the newly developed extended-release formulation. This is considerable progress in regard to minimizing pill burden and enhancing compliance. Moreover, the 24 h continuous drug release of the once-daily extended-release formulation results in fewer fluctuations in plasma concentrations over time compared to immediate-release pramipexole, given three times daily. The present study summarizes pharmacokinetics and all essential pharmacological and clinical characteristics of the extended-release formulation. In addition, it provides all study data, available so far, with regard to transition and de-novo administration of extended-release formulation for patients with Parkinson's disease. It further compares efficacy and safety data of immediate-release pramipexole with the extended-release formulation of pramipexole.
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Pharmaceutical Development, 88397 Biberach, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eisenreich
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartter
authors.forename: Wolfgang H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Jost