Key takeaways
Pramipexole (Mirapex, Mirapex ER) and rotigotine (Neupro) are both dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS), but they have some key differences. Pramipexole is available in both immediate-release and extended-release tablets, while rotigotine is available only as a transdermal patch. This means you take pramipexole orally, whereas you apply rotigotine to your skin. Rotigotine's patch form might be more convenient if you have trouble swallowing pills.Pramipexole is available in a lower-cost generic form, but rotigotine is only available as the brand name Neupro, which can be more expensive. Pramipexole can cause extreme sleepiness and requires careful monitoring of blood pressure, while rotigotine can cause skin irritation at the application site and may not be suitable for those with sulfite allergies. Both medications can cause compulsive behaviors and hallucinations and should not be stopped suddenly.
