Medications for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Ropinirole HCL is a prescription drug that helps improve the ability of patients with Parkinson’s disease to move, decrease shakiness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. It’s the most preferred medications for older people with Parkinson’s disease because it causes fewer movements and mental fluctuations.

Ropinirole is also effective in treating restless leg syndrome and in lowering movement fluctuations for patients with Parkinson’s disease. It’s more popular than comparable drugs. You can use it alone or along with other medications in treating Parkinson’s disease.

What condition does Ropinirole treat?

Ropinirole HCL is a short-acting prescription drug used in treating:

• Parkinson’s disease symptoms such as a rigid muscle, a slowed movement, and a problem with balance.
• Symptoms of Restless leg syndrome (RLS) such as discomfort on the legs and a strong urge to move the legs especially at night or while sitting

How does Ropinirole work?

• Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist type of drug that mimics the activity of a substance found in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in transmitting messages between nerves. The normal level of dopamine leads to the normal functioning of the body.
• People with Parkinson’s disease are thought to have reduced or absent dopamine in the brain.
• Ropinirole acts as a dopamine substitute. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain. This restores the dopamine activity and reduces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

What is the dosage of Ropinirole?

The dose depends on the strength of the medicine and how well you tolerate the medicine.

• The recommended initial dose for an adult with Parkinson’s disease is 2 mg once a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Your dose may be increased as needed. The maximum recommended dose should not be more than 24 mg a day.
• The recommended dose for an adult with RLS is 0.25 mg a day 1 to 3 hours before bedtime. Your dose may be increased as needed. The maximum recommended dose should not be more than 4 mg a day.

How to take Ropinirole?

• Swallow the tablet whole with plenty of water. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablet. You can take it with or without food but taking it with food may help reduce nausea.
• You can’t stop taking Ropinirole all of a sudden. If you wish to stop your medication, you may have to inform your doctor especially if you have been taking it for a long time. Your doctor will have to reduce your medication gradually.
• You can take Ropinirole alone or along with Levodopa to treat Parkinson’s disease.
• Do not take or less than what is prescribed by your physician. If you will take too much, you could have a dangerous level of this drug in your body.
• You should take it with or after food to reduce your risk of experiencing side effects like indigestion or nausea.
• If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Your medication will not work well if you will not take it on as scheduled.

What are the precautions in taking Ropinirole?

• Use Ropinirole with caution among patients with:
  • Decreased kidney or liver functions
  • History of psychotic illness
  • Severe cardiovascular diseases
• Do not use among patients who are:
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Children under 18 years of age
  • Have a rare hereditary problem of galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or the Lapp lactase deficiency
• Ropinirole is effective in treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and RLS but it’s not the best choice if you have kidney problems and if you are an older person.
• This drug can cause your blood pressure to drop especially during the first few days of your treatment. To prevent dizziness when getting up from lying or sitting position, try doing it slowly. Drinking alcoholic beverages may also increase your chance of feeling dizzy. Call your doctor if you have any symptoms of decreased blood pressure.
• You may suddenly fall asleep while doing normal activities like driving without any warning while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor right away if this happens.
• Another unwanted side effect of this drug is a hallucination and other psychotic-like behavior. Patients with Parkinson’s disease who are taking higher doses have higher chances of experiencing hallucinations.
• Increased sexual urges, unusual urge to gamble, or an uncontrollable urge to shop, eat, or spend money are other unusual changes in behavior noticed among those who are taking this drug.
• Patients who are taking this medication may have a higher chance of getting skin cancer.
• Call the doctor right away in case of serious side effects like:
  • Changes in heart rate
  • Psychiatric effects such as hallucination, confusion, and paranoia
  • Low blood pressure
  • High fever
  • Muscle tightness
  • Fainting
  • Allergic reactions with signs like a rash, hives, difficulty swallowing, and trouble breathing
• Ropinirole may interact with other medications. Be sure to inform your doctor about all your medications including those bought without prescriptions, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Costs of Generic Ropinirole vs. Requip

Ropinirole is a cheaper generic medication compared with the brand name Requip.  It is prescribed to help people with Parkinson’s disease to move, decrease shakiness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. Ropinirole 0.5 mg cost $0.66 per unit price or $65.99 for 100 tabs. While the brand name Requip 0.5 mg costs $2.14 per unit price or $214 for 100 tabs.