Ropinirole

Description

Ropinirole is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Ropinirole

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Swelling of legs
  • Weakness
  • Abdominal and stomach pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Chest pain
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety

Uses of Ropinirole

What is it prescribed for?

  • Parkinson's disease
  • Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The time until which this medicine remains active in the body is 6 to 8 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol with this medicine may increase the risk of side effects such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest appropriate changes in your diet to avoid such side effects.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to ropinirole.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Drowsiness or fainting during daily activities

Ropinirole should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine.

Hallucinations/Psychotic-like Behavior

Ropinirole should be used with extreme caution in elderly patients due to the increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) side effects. These side effects may include hallucinations and psychotic behavior. Close monitoring of patients for any changes in behavior or mood is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Hepatic and renal impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver and kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Close monitoring of kidney and liver function may be necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.

Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors

This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of change in the patient's behavior. Patients should be closely monitored for any changes in behavior or mood. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Missed Dose

If a dose of Ropinirole is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol with this medicine may increase the risk of side effects such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest appropriate changes in your diet to avoid such side effects.
Interaction with Medicine

Amitriptyline

Fluoxetine

Amiodarone

Ciprofloxacin

Alprazolam

Disease interactions

Hypotension

Ropinirole may increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension. Close monitoring of blood pressure is recommended in patients receiving this medicine. Patients are advised to get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid falling or fainting due to a sudden drop in the blood pressure. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Psychosis

Ropinirole is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of psychotic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.

Cardiovascular disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of serious side effects. Close monitoring of heart function may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient. Report any unusual side effects to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Food interactions
Using caffeine with this medicine may increase the effects of Ropinirole. This may cause side effects such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting. Report any such symptoms to the doctor on priority. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest appropriate changes in your diet to avoid such side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Ropinirole exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

To be taken with food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
Ropinirole works by acting as a substitute for dopamine which is natural chemical substance in the brain that helps regulate the movements of the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Ropinirole: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 8 August 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698013.html

Ropinirole - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 8 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00268

DailyMed - ROPINIROLE HYDROCHLORIDE- ropinirole tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 8 August 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f5ce07b9-ad0d-4b72-9daf-8662775af093

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 8 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/17844

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Information on this page was last updated on 15 Aug 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.