What is the most important information I should know about ropinirole?
Ropinirole may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as
working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell
your doctor if you have any problems with
daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure
of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be
awake and alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up
slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid
drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of ropinirole.
Cold or
allergy medicine,
narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills,
muscle relaxers, and
medicine for
seizures, depression or
anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by ropinirole. Tell your
doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Ropinirole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is
not there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you experience
hallucinations.
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.
Some people taking medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer
(melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people
for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms
to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ropinirole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ropinirole.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take ropinirole.
Ropinirole may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as
working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell
your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure
of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be
awake and alert.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ropinirole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Ropinirole may reduce breast milk production. Do not take ropinirole without
telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Ropinirole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something
that is not there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you experience
hallucinations.
Some people taking medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer
(melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people
for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms
to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
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