Are you a healthcare professional? Join GoodRx for HCPs

Compare Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Pramipexole (Mirapex, Mirapex ER) and carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet) are both prescription medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they have some differences. Pramipexole is available in immediate-release tablets and extended-release tablets, and immediate-release pramipexole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS). Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist, which means it works by mimicking dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa/levodopa, on the other hand, comes in immediate-release, extended-release, and orally disintegrating tablets. It is a combination of a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor and dopamine replacement that helps increase dopamine levels in the brain. Common side effects of pramipexole include nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness, while carbidopa/levodopa may cause involuntary movements, nausea, and dark-colored saliva, sweat, or urine. Both medications can cause extreme sleepiness, hallunications, and behavior changes.

Pramipexole
Carbidopa / levodopa (Sinemet)
Pramipexole
Carbidopa / levodopa (Sinemet)
Summary of Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Summary for Dopamine agonist
Prescription only
Pramipexole is used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS). It's approved for adults and works as a dopamine agonist to help control movements. For PD, you can take the immediate-release tablets by mouth, usually 3 times a day. There's also an option to take the extended-release tablets just once a day. For RLS, only the immediate-release tablets are available. Side effects include nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness. Pramipexole is a generic medication. The brand name Mirapex is no longer available.
Summary for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
Prescription only
Carbidopa / levodopa (Sinemet) is a first-choice option for Parkinson's disease (PD) in adults. It's also used to treat adults with conditions that cause PD symptoms, like shakiness and slowed movement. This medication helps raise and keep dopamine levels high in the brain to help with movement. But it's usually taken multiple times per day to relieve PD symptoms. Immediate-release tablets are available as brand name Sinemet and generic. Extended-release tablets and orally disintegrating tablets are generic only. Side effects can include movement problems, nausea, and possible hallucinations.
Indications of Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Indications for

•Parkinson's disease (PD)

•Moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome - immediate-release tablets only

Indications for

•Parkinson's disease (PD)

•Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have PD symptoms, like slowness, stiffness, and tremors)
Pros and Cons of Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Pros and Const for Dopamine agonist
Pros

•Can help improve movement and shaking

•Comes as immediate-release (3 times daily) and extended-release (once daily)

Cons

•Can cause nausea and sleepiness

•Have to slowly lower the dose to stop the medication to prevent possible withdrawal symptoms

Pros and Const for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
Pros

•First-choice option for treating PD symptoms

•Available in many forms: immediate-release (IR) tablets, extended-release (ER) tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs)

•Might work within 1 hour

Cons

•Usually need to take many times per day to control PD symptoms

•Can make you very sleepy and possibly fall asleep suddenly

•Can darken the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine
Common Side Effects of Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Common Side Effects for
Early Parkinson’s disease:

•Nausea (28%)

•Dizziness (25%)

•Sleepiness (22%)

•Trouble sleeping (17%)

•Constipation (14%)

•Weakness (14%)

Restless legs syndrome:

•Nausea (16%)

•Headache (16%)

•Tiredness (9%)

•Sleepiness (6%)

•Constipation (4%)

Common Side Effects for

•Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia)

•Nausea
Warnings of Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities

•Low blood pressure when standing up

•Trouble controlling impulsive behavior

•Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts

•Trouble controlling body movements

•Changes in your posture

•Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)

•Possible worsening of RLS symptoms

•Withdrawal symptoms while lowering the dose or after stopping the medication

Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities

•High fevers and confusion when lowering the dose or stopping too suddenly

•Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts

•Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior

•Risk of depression and thoughts of suicide

•Low vitamin B6 levels and seizures

•Caution use in people with a history of heart attack and arrhythmia

•Caution use in people with a history of stomach ulcers

•Higher eye pressure in people with glaucoma

•Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - orally disintegrating tablets only
Prices with our coupons for Mirapex vs. Sinemet
Learn more about Pramipexole
Learn more about Carbidopa / levodopa

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.

Compare Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Key takeaways

Summary of Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Indications of Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Pros and Cons of Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Common Side Effects of Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Warnings of Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Prices with our coupons for Mirapex vs. Sinemet

Compare other Parkinson's Disease drugs

Browse medications

Good news for your inbox