Generic Name: ROPINIROLE - ORAL
Pronounced: (row-PIN-uh-roll)

Requip Oral Precautions

Before taking ropinirole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• heart problems (including irregular heartbeat)
• mental/mood disorders (e.g., confusion, hallucinations, psychoses, schizophrenia)
• difficulty walking
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• low blood pressure
• sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy)

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Caution should be taken when using this drug in the elderly because they may be at greater risk for certain side effects such as confusion, fainting, and hallucinations.

This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Requip Oral Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, unusual sweating, headache, and dry mouth may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• difficulty moving or walking
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble sleeping)
• muscle cramps/spasms
• decreased sexual ability
• unusual urges (e.g., increased gambling or sexual urges)

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• anxiety/restlessness
• swelling of the ankles/feet
• chest pain
• unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
• vision changes

Some people taking ropinirole have reported falling asleep suddenly during their usual daily activities (e.g., talking on the phone, driving). In some cases, sleep occurred without any feelings of drowsiness beforehand. This sleep effect may occur any time during treatment with ropinirole, including up to 1 year after starting the medication. Therefore, you should not drive or take part in other possibly dangerous activities until you are certain that this medication will not cause drowsiness or sudden sleep. If you experience increased sleepiness or fall asleep during the day, do not drive or take part in other possibly dangerous activities until you have discussed this effect with your doctor. Your risk is increased with use of alcohol or other medications that can make you drowsy.

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