Compare Cogentin vs. Mirapex
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats Parkinson's disease.
Good for treating tremors caused by Parkinson's and for treating uncontrolled movements in people taking antipsychotics.
Helps with movement problems.
Mirapex (pramipexole) is effective for Parkinson's disease or restless legs syndrome, but can cause extreme drowsiness that affects daily living.
Upsides
- Cogentin (benztropine) can be used with other medicines for people with more advanced Parkinson's who continue to have tremors.
- Works by itself in people under 65 who only have Parkinson's tremors and not other symptoms.
- Can be used in people who have movement problems because they're taking antipsychotic drugs.
- Available as generic.
- Mirapex (pramipexole) may be better for older people with Parkinson's since it causes fewer movement and mental changes than its alternatives.
- Mirapex (pramipexole) comes in extended-release form to help reduce side effects and ease administration.
- Available as a generic so it will be cheaper than similar brand medications.
Downsides
- Only treats the tremors in Parkinson's and not the other symptoms.
- Not recommended in people over 65 or those with memory difficulties or problems thinking clearly because they're more likely to have confusion with Cogentin (benztropine).
- Can't be used in people who have glaucoma.
- Mirapex (pramipexole) can be used by itself, but is usually used in combination with other medications to treat Parkinson's.
- Not the best choice if you have kidney problems.
- You cannot suddenly stop taking Mirapex (pramipexole) if you have been taking it for a long time.
Used for
- Parkinson's disease
- Restless legs syndrome
- Bipolar depression
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Injection
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$6.67
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$111.92
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Side effects
The Cogentin (benztropine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
36possible side effects
- Postural hypotension53%
- Muscle rigidity47%
- Extrapyramidal syndrome28%
- Insomnia27%
- Dizziness26%
- Hallucinations17%
- Accidental injury17%
- Dream abnormalities11%
- Confusion10%
- Muscle weakness10%
- Constipation10%
- Sleepiness9%
- Muscle problems8%
- Gait abnormalities7%
- Muscle tenseness7%
- Dry mouth7%
- Memory loss6%
- Urinary frequency6%
- General swelling4%
- Urinary tract infection4%
- Shortness of breath4%
- Accomodation abnormalities4%
- Restlessness3%
- Thinking abnormalities3%
- Chest pain3%
- Malaise3%
- Runny nose3%
- Vision abnormalities3%
- Arthritis3%
- Paranoid reaction2%
- Urinary incontinence2%
- Lung infection2%
- Twitching2%
- Swelling of joints2%
- Peripheral swelling2%
- Skin disorders2%
Risks and risk factors
- Intestinal paralysis
- Taking tricyclic antidepressants
- Taking phenothiazines or haloperidol
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Over age 65
- Dehydration
- Heat stroke
- Dehydration
- Prolonged exposure to hot conditions
- Alcohol
- Manual laborers
- Memory problems and confusion
- Over age 65
- History of mental or psychiatric conditions
- Impulse control problems
- Problems with concentration
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you sleepy
- Sleep disorders
- Low blood pressure
- Taking blood pressure medicines
- Kidney problems
- Kidney problems
- Skin cancer
- Parkinson's disease
- Hallucinations and behavior changes
- Age 65 years or older
- History of psychosis
- Advanced Parkinson's disease