What is ropinirole?
Ropinirole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.
Ropinirole is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control. Ropinirole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Ropinirole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
How should I take ropinirole?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. The dose and timing of ropinirole in treating Parkinson's diease is different from the dose and timing in treating RLS.
You may receive ropinirole in a starting kit that has each pill marked with the day you should take it. Do not mix these pills up because they each contain different amounts of ropinirole. The pills must be taken in order so that you gradually receive higher doses of the medication.
You may have a brief increase in side effects whenever your dose is changed.
Ropinirole can be taken with or without food. Nausea is a common side effect of ropinirole. Taking the medicine with food may lessen this effect.
It may be several weeks or months before you notice that this medicine working. Continue taking the medicine until your doctor recommends that you stop.
Do not stop using ropinirole or change your dose without first talking to your doctor. You may have side effects such as fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion if you stop the medication suddenly or if you change doses. Store ropinirole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a ropinirole overdose may include nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, tingly feeling, and chest pain.
What should I avoid while taking ropinirole?
Ropinirole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid smoking, which can make ropinirole less effective.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as alcohol, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by ropinirole.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of ropinirole.
Dizziness or drowsiness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution to prevent a fall.
Ropinirole side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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fever, muscle stiffness, feeling light-headed; or
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slow heartbeat, fainting.
Call your doctor promptly if you fall asleep during a daily activity, if you faint, or if you have hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that is not there). Your doctor may want you to stop taking ropinirole, or take a lower dose.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
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mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, or loss of appetite;
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worsened RLS symptoms early in the morning;
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diarrhea or constipation;
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dry mouth, sweating;
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headache;
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drowsiness or confusion;
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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agitation or anxiety.
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