Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat restless leg syndrome 2. To treat Parkinson’s disease |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Confusion 2. Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position 3. Drowsiness 4. Falling 5. Nausea 6. Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations) 7. Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness 8. Swelling of the legs 9. Twisting, twitching, or other unusual body movements 10. Unusual tiredness or weakness 11. Worsening of parkinsonism |
| Additional Information | Ropinirole can cause dizziness or drowsiness, so avoid driving or risky tasks until you know how it affects you. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Swallow this medicine with water. |
Ropinirole Uses
Ropinirole 1 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of anti-parkinsonism agents and is used for the following indications:
- Restless leg syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
Ropinirole side effects
More Common
- Confusion
- Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Drowsiness
- Falling
- Nausea
- Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Swelling of the legs
- Twisting, twitching, or other unusual body movements
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Worsening of parkinsonism
Less Common
- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Blood in the urine
- Blurred vision
- Burning, pain, or difficulty in urinating
- Chest pain or tightness
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Cough
- Double vision or other eye or vision problems
- Fainting
- Fear or nervousness
- Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- High or low blood pressure
- Irregular or pounding heartbeat
- Loss of memory
- Mental depression
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Pounding in the ears
- Rapid weight gain
- Sensation of spinning
- Slow or fast heartbeat
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
- Sweating
- Tingling of the hands or feet
- Tingling, numbness, or prickly feelings
- Trouble in concentrating
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Vomiting
How Ropinirole works
Ropinirole acts like dopamine, helping the brain send smoother signals to control movement and calm nerves. In Parkinson’s and Restless Legs Syndrome, where dopamine is low, it eases stiffness, shaking, and nighttime restlessness making daily life more comfortable. Think of it as a substitute that steps in when your body’s natural helper is missing.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
There’s no clear proof that ropinirole harms a fetus in humans, but animal studies suggest it might affect its development. So, doctors are careful when using it during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Ropinirole passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop it.
Ropinirole Interaction with Food Product
Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking simultaneously, as it may affect the drug’s action and show an effect on blood glucose levels.
Ropinirole Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Ropinirole 1 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Ropinirole Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
4- [2-(Dipropyl amino) ethyl] -1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Ropinirole exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 24 mg of Ropinirole per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, double vision, low blood pressure, and slurred speech. Immediately seek medical attention.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature.
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Directions for use
- Take ropinirole exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking ropinirole without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take ropinirole, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Ropinirole Summary
Ropinirole is a medicine that works in people with Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). These conditions happen when the brain doesn’t have enough dopamine, a chemical that controls movement and coordination. Ropinirole works by acting like dopamine, helping the brain send smoother signals to the body. It can reduce shaking, stiffness, and the uncomfortable urge to move your legs, especially at night. Some common side effects include feeling sleepy or dizzy, nausea, strange dreams or hallucinations, and sometimes unusual urges like gambling or overeating. You can take it with or without food, though food might slow down how fast it works. Just avoid alcohol while on it, as it can make side effects worse.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of ropinirole?
Ropinirole is a non-ergoline anti-parkinsonism agent used to treat restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease.
What are the side effects of ropinirole use?
Common side effects of ropinirole include drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, sleepiness, and swelling of legs.
Which class does the ropinirole drug belong to?
Ropinirole belongs to the class of non-ergoline dopamine agonists belonging to the category of Anti-parkinsonism agents.
What is the mechanism of action of ropinirole?
Ropinirole acts like dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control movement and calm nerves. In Parkinson’s and Restless Legs Syndrome, low dopamine causes stiffness, shaking, or leg discomfort. This medicine attaches to brain receptors to send smoother signals. It helps ease movement and reduces the urge to move your legs, especially at night.
Reference
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5095, Ropinirole. [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Aug 21]. Available from.
- Katzung BG, Vanderah TW. Introduction to Autonomic Pharmacology. In: Katzung BG, editor. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 14th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2018 [cited 2025 Aug 21]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Ropinirole (oral route) [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c2025 [cited 2025 Aug 21]. Available from.
- Cerner Multum, Inc. Ropinirole: Uses, Side Effects & Warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com; c1996–2025 [cited 2025 Aug 21]. Available from.
- Cho HJ. Ropinirole (Requip): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing [Internet]. WebMD; 2024 Aug 29 [cited 2025 Aug 21]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy affiliated to Andhra University and from his 3rd year of graduation itself he was working as a freelance Medical and Publication writer and having expertise in Systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices he also reviewed more than 100 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, Sage Journals and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in Pub Med, Scopus and Web of Science databases and received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published few systematic, narrative reviews and few chapters of international expertise.