Therapeutic actions:
Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, thus promoting better, easier movement. Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) is not a cure for Parkinson's disease. However, it does alleviate symptoms of the disease, and it can shorten the "off" periods of immobility that patients on long-term levodopa therapy often begin to experience.
Indications:
Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) helps relieve the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Caused by a deficit of dopamine (one of the brain's chief chemical messengers), this disorder is marked by progressive muscle stiffness, tremor, and fatigue.
Contraindications and cautions:
At the start of Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) therapy and whenever the dose is increased, you face a slightly increased risk of a fainting spell or other symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, and light-headedness, particularly when you get up suddenly after sitting or reclining for a prolonged period. To avoid such symptoms, be careful to stand up slowly.
A few patients--especially older ones--also develop hallucinations. Let your doctor know if this occurs. You may have to stop Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) therapy.
Use Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) with caution if you have heart disease. There is also a slight chance of developing respiratory difficulties or problems with your eyesight. If you find it hard to breathe, have any swelling, or develop problems with your vision, alert your doctor at once.
If you are taking Sinemet with Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride), you may experience jerking muscle movements.
Tell your doctor. He will need to decrease your dose of Sinemet.
With other Parkinson's medications, a sudden dose reduction has been known to cause high fever, muscle stiffness, and loss of consciousness. Although this has not happened with Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride), be alert for such problems and contact your doctor immediately if they occur. Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) may cause drowsiness, and some people have reported falling asleep without warning during their daily activities.
Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you. If you find that Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) makes you sleepy or that you're suddenly falling asleep in the middle of routine activities, tell your doctor; he will probably discontinue the drug. Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) may also cause darkening of your skin and eye color. Tell your doctor if you notice any change.
Adverse effects:
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride).
More common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal dreaming, abnormal muscle movements, abnormal vision, amnesia, anxiety, arthritis, bronchitis, confusion, constipation, decreased muscle movements, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, eye problems, fainting, falling, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, increased sweating, indigestion, joint pain, leg swelling, nausea, nervousness, pain, paralysis, respiratory tract infection, runny nose, sinus inflammation, skin tingling, sore throat, swelling, tremor, urinary tract infection, viral infections, vomiting, weakness If Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) gives you an allergic reaction, you will not be able to continue using it.
Interactions:
If Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Requip (Ropinirole Hydrochloride) with the following:
* Alcohol
* Antidepressants such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Tofranil
* Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
* Drugs that contain levodopa such as Dopar, Larodopa, and Sinemet
* Estrogen medications such as ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl)
* Major tranquilizers such as Haldol, Mellaril, Navane, Prolixin, and Thorazine
* Metoclopramide (Reglan)
* Tranquilizers such as the benzodiazepines Ativan, Librium, Valium, and Xanax
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