To explore whether the curative effect of the extended-release form of pramipexole is better than that of the immediate-release form and levodopa in treating idiopathic Parkinson′s disease.

One hundred and ten Parkinson′s disease patients treated at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and Shanxi Dayi Hospital from October 2015 to July 2017 were randomly divided into three groups to receive the extended-release form of pramipexole plus levodopa, the immediate-release form plus levodopa, and levodopa alone, respectively. Motor symptoms, levodopa dosage, Hamilton depression rating scale-17 (HAMD-17) score, Parkinson′s disease sleep scale (PDSS) score, and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score were compared between the three groups.

The extended-release form plus levodopa had similar efficacy to the immediate-release form plus levodopa in improving motor symptoms (P>0.05), but was better than levodopa alone. The extended-release form plus levodopa was significantly better than the immediate-release form plus levodopa and levodopa alone in improving depression and sleep (P<0.05). The safety was similar between the three groups (P>0.05).

The extended-release form plus levodopa is similar to the immediate-release form in improving motor symptom in patients with idiopathic Parkinson′s disease, but can significantly better improve depressive and sleep symptoms. The combination treatment with pramipexole and levodopa has better curative effect than levodopa alone. Pramipexole extended-release tablets is safe and reliable in the treatment of patients with idiopathic Parkinson′s disease.

Pramipexole extended-release tablets; Idiopathic Parkinson′s disease; Clinical efficacy; Safety