Ropinirole
Pronounced
"row-PIN-uh-roll"
Common brand names:
Requip
Uses
This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat Parkinson's disease. It can improve your ability to move and decrease shakiness (tremor), stiffness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. It may also decrease the number of episodes of not being able to move ("on-off syndrome").
Ropinirole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS). It may improve your sleep by decreasing the urge to move your legs and decreasing uncomfortable/unpleasant feelings in the legs.
This medication works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (dopamine) in the brain.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking ropinirole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are taking this medication for Parkinson's disease, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day. Taking this medication with food may reduce nausea. To reduce your risk of side effects (such as drowsiness, low blood pressure), your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
If you are using this medication for RLS, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily (1 to 3 hours before bedtime).
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. Take this medication as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than directed.
If you stop taking this medication for several days, you may need to increase your dose slowly back to your previous dosage. Talk with your doctor about how to restart the medication.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this medication is suddenly stopped. Also, if you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, depression, confusion, fever, muscle stiffness). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used ropinirole for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
If you are taking this medication for RLS, tell your doctor if your symptoms increase or get worse in the early morning, or if you start getting symptoms earlier in the evening or late afternoon. Your doctor may need to change your treatment.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. It may take a few weeks for this medication to take effect. Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.
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