Requip

 
Generic Name: ropinirole (oral)

Brands: Requip

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What is the most important information I should know about Requip?

· Ropinirole may cause drowsiness or dizziness. People taking Requip have reported falling asleep, during normal daily activities (such as talking, eating, driving). Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Contact your doctor if you experience daytime sleepiness or fall asleep during normal daily activities.

· Dizziness or drowsiness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution to prevent a fall.

· Alcohol, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other medicines that cause drowsiness may increase the drowsiness caused by Requip. Do not take other medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) without first talking to your doctor.

· 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.

 

What is Requip?

· Ropinirole has some of the same effects as the naturally occurring chemical dopamine in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.

· Ropinirole is used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson's disease.

· 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 Requip?

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. You may not be able to take Requip, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during therapy if you have kidney disease.

· Ropinirole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Requip will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Requip without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· It is not known whether Requip passes into breast milk. Ropinirole may reduce breast milk production. Do not take Requip without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

· Hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not there) may be more likely to occur in patients older than 65 years of age. Notify your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

 

How should I take Requip?

· Take Requip exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Nausea is a frequent side effect and taking Requip with food may lessen this effect. Ropinirole can be taken with or without food.

· Ropinirole is usually started with low doses and increased gradually. Follow your doctor's instructions.

· It may be several weeks or months until the benefits of Requip are seen. Continue to take this medicine until your doctor recommends that you stop.

· Store Requip at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Requip overdose include nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, fainting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, uncontrollable movements, a tingling sensation, and chest pain.

 

What should I avoid while taking Requip?

· Ropinirole may cause drowsiness or dizziness. People taking Requip have reported falling asleep, during normal daily activities (such as talking, eating, driving). Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Contact your doctor if you experience daytime sleepiness or fall asleep during normal daily activities.

· Dizziness or drowsiness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly and use caution to prevent a fall.

· Alcohol, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other medicines that cause drowsiness may increase the drowsiness caused by Requip. Do not take other medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) without first talking to your doctor.

 

What are the possible side effects of Requip?

· Stop taking Requip and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

· Notify your doctor immediately if you experience fainting, dizziness or hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not there). Your doctor may want to discontinue this medication or lower your dosage.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Requip and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, or decreased appetite;     ·diarrhea or constipation;     ·dry mouth;     ·sweating;     ·headache;     ·drowsiness;     ·confusion;     ·insomnia; or     ·agitation or anxiety.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Requip?

· Before taking Requip, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:     ·a medication used to treat mania, schizophrenia, other psychiatric conditions, or nausea and vomiting, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), promazine (Sparine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thiothixene (Navane), or haloperidol (Haldol); or     ·an estrogen (Premarin, Prempro, Estratest, Ogen, Estraderm, Climara, Vivelle, estradiol, and others); or     ·the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

· You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Ropinirole may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines (prescription and over-the-counter) that you are taking, and do not take any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter) unless your doctor approves.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Requip. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without the approval of your doctor.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has more information about Requip written for health professionals that you may read.

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