Brand Name(s): Requip
Generic Name Ropinirole
What are ropinirole tablets?
ROPINIROLE (Requip™) can help treat Parkinson's disease. Ropinirole helps to improve muscle control and movement difficulties. Ropinirole will not cure Parkinson's disease, but will help to control the symptoms of the disease. Ropinirole tablets may be taken together with other medicines that control symptoms of Parkinson's. Ropinirole is also used for the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. Generic ropinirole tablets are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•dizzy or fainting spells
•kidney disease
•heart disease
•low blood pressure
•an unusual or allergic reaction to ropinirole, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take ropinirole tablets by mouth. Taking this medicine with food can decrease your chance of developing nausea. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking ropinirole except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ropinirole?
•cimetidine
•ciprofloxacin
•clarithromycin
•diltiazem
•droperidol
•entacapone
•erythromycin
•estrogens
•medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
•metoclopramide
•mexiletine
•norfloxacin
•omeprazole
•phenobarbital
•phenytoin
•quinidine or quinine
•ranitidine
•rifampin
•triamterene
•verapamil
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking ropinirole?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or Less common:
•chest pain
•fainting
•falling
•fast or irregular heartbeat
•increase or decrease in blood pressure
•joint or muscle pain
•loss of bladder control
•mental depression, anxiety, nervousness or other changes in behavior or mood
•numbness, tingling, or prickly sensations
•shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing
•sudden sleep episodes, even while doing normal activities
•trouble swallowing
•uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, hands, head, mouth, shoulders, or upper body
•vision changes
More common:
•confusion
•drowsiness
•hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
•vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•clumsiness, feeling unsteady, or dizziness, especially early in treatment
•dry mouth
•flushing
•headache
•increased sweating
•nausea
•tremor
•yawning
What should I watch for while taking ropinirole?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks or months before you feel the full effect of ropinirole. Continue to take your medicine on a regular schedule and do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
You may get dizzy or have difficulty controlling your movements. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how ropinirole affects you. Ropinirole has been associated with a sudden urge to fall asleep; sometimes while driving. Contact your health care professional for advice if you have a sudden sleep episode.
Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down, especially if you have been in this position for a long time. Also, if you have just recently started taking ropinirole, or if your prescriber has recently increased your dose, be careful when you stand or sit up. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. The dizziness that sometimes occurs with ropinirole is called postural hypotension. You may also feel nauseous (sick to your stomach) or sweaty. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking ropinirole.
Ropinirole may make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Visit your dentist regularly.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at controlled room temperature between 20 degrees and 25 degrees C (68 degrees and 77 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:08/26/2005 |
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