MANAGING PARKINSON'S DISEASE AT EVERY STAGE

Tips for Living with Parkinson's Disease

When you have Parkinson's disease, there are several things you can do to help improve your everyday life. Staying active and making subtle changes in the home environment are some ways to help you live more easily with your symptoms.34 Joining a support group and getting speech therapy, if needed, can also help.

It is a good idea to make simple changes in your home environment. These can help you perform everyday tasks more easily and safely. Here are a few ideas34:

  • Replace buttons on clothing with Velcro®* fasteners
  • Remove throw rugs that could be tripped over
  • Install railings in bathrooms, hallways, or other locations to help you maintain balance
  • For patients in advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, wheelchairs and ramps can provide the means to move around at will

All of these changes allow you to function more independently in your home. This can give you confidence. It will also help you feel like you are doing everything you can to manage the disease successfully.

*Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., uses the Mirapex® trademark under license. The other trademarks referenced above are owned by third parties not affiliated with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Next: Effects of PD on Lifestyle

 

Important Information about MIRAPEX: MIRAPEX is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD).

MIRAPEX may cause you to fall asleep without any warning, even while doing normal daily activities, such as driving. Before taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor if you drink alcohol or take other medications that make you drowsy as these can increase the chance that MIRAPEX will make you feel sleepy or fall asleep when you should be awake. When taking MIRAPEX, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, or tasting something that isn’t there) may occur and you may sometimes feel dizzy, nauseated, faint or sweaty when you sit up or stand quickly.

In clinical trials for early PD, the most commonly reported side effects of MIRAPEX that were more frequent than with placebo are nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep, involuntary movement, and constipation. In clinical trials for advanced PD, the most commonly reported side effects of MIRAPEX that were more frequent than with placebo are low blood pressure when you sit up or stand quickly, involuntary movement, difficulty falling asleep, dizziness, accidental injury, hallucinations, and dream abnormalities. You should talk with your doctor if you experience these problems.

There have been reports of impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviors in patients taking certain medicines, including MIRAPEX. If you or your family members notice that you are experiencing new or increased gambling urges, increased sexual urges or other intense urges, such as compulsive shopping or eating, while taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

This information is intended for U.S. residents only.