Ropinirole

What is Ropinirole?

Ropinirole is a tablet that’s made by a few companies, and it’s often prescribed to treat restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome is a condition that mostly affects the nervous system. It often results in an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Though restless leg syndrome can happen to anyone it’s more frequently seen in women, and it’s not fully understood how it develops. It might be the case that it’s a secondary condition to other issues, like diabetes, anti-nausea medication, iron deficiency and antidepressants. Regardless of the reason-behind or severity of a patient’s restless legs syndrome, ropinirole can help in reducing the symptoms.

How does Ropinirole work?

Ropinirole contains the active ingredient: ropinirole hydrochloride, a dopamine agonist. Restless legs syndrome is thought to be caused by a condition within the basal ganglia that creates problems with your dopamine receptors. ^[1]

These receptors are important, as they control the neural signalling that modulates behaviours. With restless legs syndrome signals from the brain aren’t controlled properly, which can result in abnormal sensations like painful burning, prickling or aching, or a strong urge to move your legs (although it can occur in the arms as well).

Ropinirole is effective at treating restless legs syndrome, as the dopamine agonist contained within it increases the production of dopamine in the brain. Given that a lot of people with restless leg syndrome have it because they don’t have enough dopamine in the brain, its increased production can result in a reduction of symptoms as levels are restored, making the nervous system behave more normally.

What doses of Ropinirole are there?

Ropinirole comes in a variety of doses, specifically: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 2mg. Typically, treatment will begin at 0.25mg before its effect is monitored and you’re prescribed with a maintenance dose of the tablet.

How to take Ropinirole

Before taking Ropinirole please check the ingredients to make sure that you’re not allergic to it. You should also not take it if you have a serious kidney disease or any kind of liver disease. You also need to notify your clinician before taking Ropinirole if you:

• Are pregnant or think that you might be pregnant
• Are currently breastfeeding
• Are under the age of 18 years old
• Are currently suffering with a serious mental health problem
• Are currently suffering with any kind of heart complaint

It will then be up to our clinician to decide if you’re suitable to take Ropinirole. If you’re given the go-ahead to begin treatment, taking Ropinirole is incredibly straight forward:

• Take your prescribed dosage of Ropinirole (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg) if you are unsure then check with your clinician
• With a glass of water, swallow your prescribed dose whole
• Ensure that you do not chew or crush the tablet
• Ensure that you do not give Ropinirole to any children (usually it is not prescribed to anyone who is under 18)

How long does it take Ropinirole to work?

It should take approximately two days of regular dosing for ropinirole to reach stable blood levels in the body. So you should begin to notice its positive impact fairly quickly after you start taking it. ^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Ropinirole?

It’s recommended that you read your patient information leaflet before you begin taking Ropinirole to ensure that you’re getting your doses right. If you do make a mistake though, for instance if you take too much Ropinirole, then you should seek medical help immediately. If you miss a dose, you should not take more the next time in order to make up for it.