What is Ropinirole? Uses, warnings & side effects

Take this medication as directed. The initial doses will be small, and the doses will change until you reach an effective dose.

Please read the Patient Information sheet that comes with the tablets. It may be attached to the Prescribing Information sheet.

Ropinirole tablets can be taken with or without food.

• If you experience nausea or other stomach upset, take doses with food.

How to take immediate-release tablets:

• Immediate-release tablets are for Parkinson’s or RLS treatment

• Take three doses daily for Parkinson’s disease.

• Take only one dose daily for restless leg syndrome. Take the dose one to three hours before bedtime.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

• Store ropinirole immediate-release tablets at room temperature, protected from light and heat.

How to take extended-release tablets:

• Extended-release tablets are for Parkinson’s treatment only.

• Do not switch from immediate to extended-release tablets without getting a new prescription.

• Take only one dose daily.

• Try to take each day’s dose at the same time every day.

• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

• Store ropinirole extended-release tablets in a tightly closed container at room temperature protected from light.

Do not stop taking doses until talking to the prescriber.

Ask the prescriber what to do if a dose is missed.

Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to ropinirole.

Tell all doctors and healthcare providers who treat you that you are taking ropinirole tablets.

The doctor will need regular visits to check your progress and monitor for side effects. Keep all appointments.

Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:

• Daytime sleepiness due to a sleep disorder or other problem

• Unexpected or unpredictable sleepiness or periods of sleep

• High or low blood pressure

• A history of heart problems

• Mental health problems, particularly schizophrenia or any other psychosis-related diagnosis

This medicine may cause the following problems:

• High or low blood pressure

• Hallucinations (in Parkinson’s patients)

• Psychosis

• Uncontrolled movements (in Parkinson’s patients)

• Unusual changes in thoughts or behavior, such as the urge to gamble or an increased sex drive

• Increased risk of skin cancer (melanoma)

Tell the doctor if you smoke, start smoking, or quit smoking while on ropinirole.

Ropinirole can cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities like working, driving, or exercising. It can also cause you to faint or feel faint unexpectedly, especially at the beginning of treatment. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in any other kind of risky activity until you experience the full effects of this medicine.

Ropinirole can cause low blood pressure, especially when standing up or changing position. Stand up carefully and slowly. Sit back down if you feel dizzy or faint.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or you experience troubling side effects.

Tell the prescriber about all the medications you take. If you start medications while on ropinirole, talk to the doctor first. 

Tell all other doctors and healthcare providers about ropinirole before they prescribe new medications.

The most significant drugs that interact with ropinirole include:

• Dopamine drugs such as levodopa

• Antipsychotic medications, particularly phenothiazine antipsychotics

• The antinausea drugs metoclopramide and droperidol

• Drugs that make you sleepy, such as narcotic pain medications, sleeping pills, sedatives, benzodiazepines, and cold and allergy medications.

• Birth control pills

• Estrogens for hormone replacement

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin