Ropinirole (Requip) Drug for Parkinson's Disease: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Ropinirole
(Requip, United States and Canada)

Use:

Ropinirole or Requip is used in both early and late Parkinson's disease.

How It Works:

In Parkinson's disease, there is a deficiency of the neurochemical dopamine. Ropinirole or Requip is a dopamine agonist which stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain - acting like dopamine would.

Side Effects:

Light headedness and fainting along with a slowed heart beat has occurred in 12% of people with early stages of Parkinson's disease and in 3% with late stages.
Nausea, drowsiness, and movement disorders have been reported. Hallucinations may occur, but are more common with other dopamine agonists, not Ropinirole or Requip.

Cautions for People:

People in both early stages and late stages of Parkinson's disease seem to benefit from Ropinirole or Requip. It is usually used in combination with other drugs, most notably levodopa.

Drug Interactions:

Ciprofloxacin reduces the body's excretion of Ropinirole or Requip, thus can increase levels in the body. Antipsychotics and metochlopramide may reduce its effectiveness because of the act on some of the same receptors.

Further Reading:

The Medical Letter 1997;39(1014):109

Added to Virtual Drugstore February 1998.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.