Trade name Requip
Oral agent.
Bioavailability 50%.
Hepatic CYP1A2 metabolism.
Biological half-life 5-6 hours
A dopamine agonist of the non-ergoline class of medications.
Used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Prescribed for mainly Parkinson’s disease, RLS and extrapyramidal symptoms.
It can also reduce the side effects caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Parkinsonism syndrome as well as sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction caused by either SSRIs or antipsychotics.
Available in various preparations, ranging from a 0.25 mg tablet to a 5 mg tablet.
For Parkinson’s disease, the maximum recommended dose is 24 mg per day, taken in three separate doses spread throughout the day.
The maximum dose recommendations of ropinirole for subjects with end stage renal disease should be reduced by 25% compared with those recommended for subjects with normal renal function.
For restless leg syndrome the maximum recommended dose is 4 mg per day, taken 1 to 3 hours before bedtime.
52-week open label study had a mean dosage of 1.90 mg, once daily 1 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Acts as a D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptor agonist with highest affinity for D2.
Metabolized primarily by cytochrome P450 CYP1A2 to form two metabolites.
Can cause nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, orthostatic hypotension, and sudden sleep attacks during the daytime.
Unusual side effects specific to D3 agonists can include hypersexuality, and compulsive gambling, even in patients without a history of these behaviours..