Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.
Behaviour and personality changes: Requip (Ropinirole) can cause behaviour changes including hallucinations, pathological gambling, and increased libido. Personality changes may also occur, including paranoia, anxiety or nervousness, or a sense of not being oneself.
If you experience changes in behaviour or are aware of these changes happening in someone who is taking Requip (Ropinirole), contact the doctor as soon as possible.
Breathing problems: Requip (Ropinirole) has been known to cause scarring or thickening of the tissues in the abdomen, including the lungs and heart. If you experience any difficulty breathing or chest pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Dizziness: Requip (Ropinirole) may cause dizziness when getting up from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. This usually happens at the start of treatment or when the dose is being increased. You can decrease the frequency of this happening by rising slowly when you sit up or stand up.
Hallucinations: Requip (Ropinirole) causes hallucinations for about 5% of people who take it and for about 10% of people who take it at the same time as levodopa. The incidence of hallucinations increases as the dose increases. If you experience hallucinations or are aware of a person who is taking Requip (Ropinirole) experiencing hallucinations, contact the doctor as soon as possible.
Heart disease: Requip (Ropinirole) has not been studied for use by people with significant heart disease. If you have heart disease and are taking Requip (Ropinirole), discuss with your doctor how Requip (Ropinirole) may affect your medical condition, and how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Requip (Ropinirole). Your doctor will want to monitor your heart condition closely while you are taking Requip (Ropinirole).
Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Requip (Ropinirole) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Requip (Ropinirole), and whether any special monitoring is needed
Liver function: The safety and effectiveness of Requip (Ropinirole) when used by people with reduced liver function has not been studied. Requip (Ropinirole) is not recommended for people with reduced liver function.
Melanoma: People with Parkinson's disease may be at increased risk of developing melanoma (a type of Skin Cancer). It is not known if this increased risk is due to Parkinson's disease or to the medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. Your doctor will monitor you for skin cancer while you are taking Requip (Ropinirole). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): As with other medications that have an effect on movement disorders, Requip (Ropinirole) can trigger a potentially fatal set of symptoms known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). If you experience symptoms of NMS, such as high Fever, muscle stiffness, confusion or loss of consciousness, sweating, rapid or irregular heartbeat, seek immediate medical attention.
This is more likely to occur if Requip (Ropinirole) is stopped suddenly or the dose is decreased rapidly. If you are considering stopping Requip (Ropinirole), discuss the appropriate way to reduce Requip (Ropinirole) with your doctor.
Sudden onset of sleep: Requip (Ropinirole) can cause the sudden, unpredictable onset of sleep. This can happen while participating in the daily activities of living, including driving or operating machinery. This effect may occur at any point while taking the medication.
Because there is no warning when or if this will occur, do not drive or operate dangerous machinery while you are taking Requip (Ropinirole).
Uncontrolled movements: Requip (Ropinirole) may cause an increase in irregular, jerky movements or uncontrolled body movements when it is taken with levodopa. If you notice movement problems worsening, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Pregnancy: The use of Requip (Ropinirole) during pregnancy is not recommended. If you become pregnant while taking Requip (Ropinirole), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Requip (Ropinirole) reduces the production of breast milk, and therefore, should not be taken by women who wish to breast-feed.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of Requip (Ropinirole) have not been established for use by children.
