Restless Legs Syndrome is a condition marked by an uncontrollable need to move the limbs in reaction to feelings of painful or uncomfortable sensations. Although often thought to be neurological in origin, it is now believed to be caused by a number of factors, including medications and certain primary medical conditions like iron deficiency. For many years people suffered without a beneficial treatment. Even back in 1945, a paper was published that studied Restless Leg Syndrome. In 1997, their prayers were answered in the form of Pramipexole, which was sold under the brand name of Mirapex. However, many doctors believe that this drug is over-marketed based on the number of patients suffering from the condition and the movement has been fueled by the manufacturer’s desire for financial gain.

Interestingly enough, this drug has been a great success in treating Parkinson’s disease, as well as Restless Legs Syndrome. As a result of the medications ability to stimulate dopamine receptors, Parkinson’s patients have seen marked improvements in their symptoms while taking Mirapex. Parkinson’s disease is an extremely debilitating degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Due to the tremendous toll the disease takes on the body, Parkinson’s patients view Mirapex as a life-saver.

Despite the indications that Mirapex is a wonder drug for two very different conditions, there have also been severe side effects from taking Mirapex. Patients on the drug have reported such symptoms as dizziness, drowsiness, weight loss, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, and nausea. There have even been some reports that the drug leads to such unintended effects such as hyper-sexuality and uncontrolled addiction-related urges, such as the urge to gamble, as chemical in the medication leads the brain to create compulsive actions in the person taking the medication.

Some of the side effects are so widespread that the manufacturer now has a clear warning label on its advertising website that Mirapex can cause you to suddenly fall asleep without warning and may cause hallucinations. Many people question whether these warnings should have been given out in 1997, when the medication was first prescribed and before it caused harm to so many people.

If you or a loved one have taken Mirapex and suffered some of these serious side effects, you should speak with an attorney who has experience in personal injury cases and drug manufacturer lawsuits. The drug company should not be allowed to let a drug enter the market if it knows that there may be serious side effects. Even if the company was not aware of all of the vast side effects initially, perhaps because of incomplete testing, they should have informed the public when they became aware of the problems that the drug was causing in people.
It is difficult to believe that it has gone unnoticed by the drug company that people have died in traffic accidents after falling asleep at the wheel, have had hallucinations that led to suicide, or that so many people have experienced strange compulsive behavior while taking Mirapex. It is for these reasons that you should contact an attorney who will help you fight against the drug company for the harm they have caused you and your family.

You can recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages from missed work. Additionally, you may be able to recover they money you lost because the drug caused you to gamble or shop excessively, and you may be able to recover money for damages to your car after you were in an accident because you fell asleep suddenly at the wheel while taking the drug.

You cannot fully know what type of recovery that you might have coming your way if you do not speak with an attorney. Call an attorney today for a consultation.