Pronounced: REE-kwip
Generic name: Ropinirole hydrochloride
Why is Requip prescribed?
Requip
helps relieve the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Caused by
a deficit of dopamine (one of the brain's chief chemical messengers),
this disorder is marked by progressive muscle stiffness, tremor, and
fatigue. Requip works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain,
thus promoting better, easier movement.
Requip
can be taken with or without levodopa (usually prescribed as Sinemet),
another drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Most important fact about Requip
Requip
is not a cure for Parkinson's disease. However, it does alleviate
symptoms of the disease, and it can shorten the "off" periods of
immobility that patients on long-term levodopa therapy often begin to
experience.
How should you take Requip?
Take
3 doses a day, with or without food. If the drug upsets your stomach,
combining it with food may relieve the problem. If you are also taking
levodopa, its dosage may be gradually decreased when you start therapy
with Requip.
--If you miss a dose--Take
it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not
take 2 doses at once.
--Storage instructions--Store at room temperature away from light.
Requip side effects
Side
effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Requip.
--Side effects may include--Abdominal
pain, abnormal dreaming, abnormal muscle movements, abnormal vision,
amnesia, anxiety, arthritis, bronchitis, confusion, constipation,
decreased muscle movements, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dizziness,
drowsiness, dry mouth, eye problems, fainting, falling, fatigue,
hallucinations, headache, increased sweating, indigestion, joint pain,
leg swelling, nausea, nervousness, pain, paralysis, respiratory tract
infection, runny nose, sinus inflammation, skin tingling, sore throat,
swelling, tremor, urinary tract infection, viral infections, vomiting,
weakness
Why should Requip not be prescribed?
If Requip gives you an allergic reaction, you will not be able to continue using it.
Special warnings about Requip
At
the start of Requip therapy and whenever the dose is increased, you
face a slightly increased risk of a fainting spell or other symptoms of
low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, and
light-headedness, particularly when you get up suddenly after sitting
or reclining for a prolonged period. To avoid such symptoms, be careful
to stand up slowly.
A
few patients--especially older ones--also develop hallucinations. Let
your doctor know if this occurs. You may have to stop Requip therapy.
Use
Requip with caution if you have heart disease. There is also a slight
chance of developing respiratory difficulties or problems with your
eyesight. If you find it hard to breathe, have any swelling, or develop
problems with your vision, alert your doctor at once.
If
you are taking Sinemet with Requip, you may experience jerking muscle
movements. Tell your doctor. He will need to decrease your dose of
Sinemet.
With
other Parkinson's medications, a sudden dose reduction has been known
to cause high fever, muscle stiffness, and loss of consciousness.
Although this has not happened with Requip, be alert for such problems
and contact your doctor immediately if they occur.
Requip
may cause drowsiness, and some people have reported falling asleep
without warning during their daily activities. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you. If you find
that Requip makes you sleepy or that you're suddenly falling asleep in
the middle of routine activities, tell your doctor; he will probably
discontinue the drug.
Requip may also cause darkening of your skin and eye color. Tell your doctor if you notice any change.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Requip
If
Requip is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be
increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check
with your doctor before combining Requip with the following:
- Alcohol
- Antidepressants such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Tofranil Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Drugs that contain levodopa such as Dopar, Larodopa, and Sinemet Estrogen medications such as ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl)
- Major tranquilizers such as Haldol, Mellaril, Navane, Prolixin, and Thorazine
- Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Tranquilizers such as the benzodiazepines Ativan, Librium, Valium, and Xanax
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Although
the effects of Requip during pregnancy have not been adequately studied
in humans, birth defects have occurred in animals. If you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Requip
may inhibit production of breast milk. There is also a possibility that
it will appear in breast milk and affect the nursing infant. If Requip
is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue
breastfeeding.
Recommended dosage for Requip
--Adults--Requip
is taken 3 times a day. During the first week of therapy, each dose is
0.25 milligram. During the second week, the amount rises to 0.5
milligram. In the third week, it increases to 0.75 milligram, and in
the fourth week reaches 1 milligram (3 milligrams daily). If necessary,
your doctor will gradually increase the dosage further, up to a maximum
of 24 milligrams per day.
If
you need to stop Requip therapy, the doctor will discontinue the drug
gradually over a 7-day period, reducing the number of doses from 3 to 2
per day for the first 4 days, then to once a day for the remaining 3
days.
Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.
--Symptoms of Requip overdose may include--Agitation,
chest pain, confusion, drowsiness, facial muscle movements, grogginess,
increased jerkiness of movement, symptoms of low blood pressure
(dizziness, light-headedness) upon standing, nausea, vomiting.
Information provided by PDRhealth.com