Get Informed: Requip
Active Ingredient(s)
Ropinirole
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of restless leg syndrome and Parkinson's disease. It is believed to work by mimicking the effect of dopamine and different sites in the nervous system.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 10:17 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Requip
- Ropinirole
- Requip XL
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 19 Sep 1997
- Est US Patients*
- 1,037,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Requip or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Requip
There have been no alerts regarding Requip during the past year.
Requip Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Requip used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 6,000 patients that use Requip (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 89% | 
|
| Muscle Spasms | 8% | 
|
| Parkinson's Disease | 6% |
|
| Other | 6% |
|
How well does Requip work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Requip (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 84%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Requip outweigh the bad things.
- 16%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Requip.
Common Side Effects of Requip
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Requip (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
33% of patients experience side-effects on Requip
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Requip
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Dizziness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Fatigue, Grogginess/Confusion, Involuntary Movements, Mood/Behavior Changes, Nausea/Vomiting, Sleep Problems
Global Patient Feedback for Requip (Ropinirole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I Ilive in Portugal and have been taking Requip LP for 2 weeks at 2 x 8mg daily, my chemist is now unable to acquire the drug, have spoken to the consultant and he has suggested that I try the Neupro patch at the same dose. This is not available in Portugal and I will have to buy it in Spain, has anyone tried the patches.?
Struggling with meds in Portgual.
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-08 06:41:08
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Neupro patches have been unavailable in the Unites States since April 2008 but may be available internationally as you have mentioned. Neupro is a patch system that helps increase a chemical called dopamine. Requip works to increase dopamine in your body as well. Although they act differently, they both have similar end results and could help your condition(s). You should consult your doctor to determine the best dose and if it is appropriate for your medical conditions before you attempt to acquire the patches.
Posted: 2009-11-05 20:17:57
Question/Comment:
I don't have RLS anymore but my legs start cramping every time I lay down in a bed. I am also having trouble with my legs & feet swelling, but the excess fluids do not go to my heart. Is this normal? It only started when I started taking this med.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-06 08:27:11
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Ropinirole can cause peripheral edema in patients taking it for restless leg syndrome. Peripheral edema is defined as an accumulation of fluids in extremities, such as the ankles, legs, and feet. Muscle pain has also been reported with ropinirole when used for restless leg syndrome. If either of these symptoms is affecting your quality of life, talk to your physician about the symptoms and whether or not you should continue use of this medication.
Posted: 2009-11-04 14:53:52
Question/Comment:
I am a 59 year old white male with RLS. I take 2MG twice daily of Ropinirole it is not strong enough. I take one after dinner and the other at bedtime.I need to ask the doctor to increase the dosage to 5MG twice a day. It does help and I like the genneric version of Requip. I also experience drowsiness at times after dinner.
I recommend Requip/Ropinirole for anyone who has RLS.
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-29 18:23:41
Question/Comment:
Does anyone taking requip find that after the first morning dose, I take 5mg 3 times a day,that they feel very ill, un-co-ordinated, very sick and have trouble walking. My doctor has suggested I take requip xl 8mg twice a day, anyone out there on this regime. I am a fit 65 year olld woman, living in Portugal.
Interested to hear anything similar. Jean R
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-24 15:28:52
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Dizziness, nausea/abdominal pain are among the most common side effects when taking Requip. It is likely that a higher dose in the morning is going to cause similar or worsening of your side effects. You may want to talk to your doctor about lowering your dose to see if you have fewer side effects and can maintain the benefits of the medication. You could ask your doctor about the extended release version (Requip XL) - the extended-release version may decrease these side effects because the medication would be slowly released over a longer period of time. However, please be aware these same side effects are reported by patients who take Requip XL.
Posted: 2009-09-30 23:15:31
Question/Comment:
I am a 56 year old female with RLS. There is absolutely no way I could sleep without Requip. It is
terribly terribly uncomfortable if I try not to take it. If I don't the only way to ease it is to get up and do something which means no sleep. Even bothers me with my sleep medication if I do not use the requip. I was so thankful they had it to help.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-10 21:43:03
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Patient Comments about
Requip