Nourianz vs. Mirapex

Nourianz (istradefylline) and Mirapex (pramipexole) are used to treat different aspects of Parkinson's disease.

Nourianz is indicated as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in adult patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing "off" episodes.

Mirapex is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Nourianz and Mirapex belong to different drug classes. Nourianz is an adenosine receptor antagonist and Mirapex is a dopamine agonist.

Side effects of Nourianz and Mirapex that are similar include dizziness, constipation, nausea, and sleep problems (insomnia or unusual dreams).

Side effects of Nourianz that are different from Mirapex include involuntary muscle movements and hallucinations.

Side effects of Mirapex that are different from Nourianz include dizziness on standing, dry mouth, stomach pain, vomiting, headache, spinning sensation (vertigo), drowsiness, swelling in your hands and feet, appetite or weight changes, blurred vision, memory problems or forgetfulness, confusion or thinking problems, swelling in your hands or feet, impotence, loss of interest in sex, and trouble having an orgasm.

Both Nourianz and Mirapex may interact with seizure medications.

Nourianz may also interact with itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, rifampin, St. John's wort, midazolam, atorvastatin, and digoxin.

Mirapex may also interact with other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or anxiety medications), cimetidine, metoclopramide, and medicines to treat mental illness.

Common side effects of Nourianz include:

• involuntary muscle movements,
• dizziness,
• constipation,
• nausea,
• hallucinations, and
• insomnia

Common side effects of Mirapex include:

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth,
• discomfort in the nose or throat after using the nasal spray,
• warmth/redness/tingling/numbness under the skin,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness, or
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body

Nourianz (istradefylline) is an adenosine receptor antagonist indicated as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in adult patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experiencing "off" episodes.

Mirapex (zolmitriptan) Nasal Spray is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain used to treat migraine headaches. Mirapex Nasal Spray will only treat a headache that has already begun. Mirapex Nasal Spray will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Nourianz may interact with itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, carbamazepine, rifampin, phenytoin, St. John's wort, midazolam, atorvastatin, and digoxin. Nourianz is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Women of childbearing potential are advised to use contraception during treatment with Nourianz. It is unknown if Nourianz passes into breast milk or how it would affect a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Mirapex may interact with other migraine headache medicines, cimetidine, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Mirapex should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Mirapex may also interact with alcohol, oral contraceptives, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

The recommended dosage of Nourianz is 20 mg orally once daily. The dosage may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg once daily.

The initial dose of Mirapex is 2.5 mg or less. The dose can be repeated after 2 hours if symptoms persist. The maximum dose is 10 mg per day.