ropinirole
Brand names: Requip
Ropinirole is a medicine that acts like dopamine in your brain. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.04/unit
Generic Available
Yes (11 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ropinirole is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Common side effects
Nausea, Sleepiness, Dizziness
Key warnings
Ropinirole can cause you to fall asleep suddenly, even during normal daily activities.
How It Works
Ropinirole works by mimicking the effects of dopamine, a natural chemical in the brain. Dopamine helps control movement and coordination. By acting like dopamine, ropinirole can help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and RLS.
How to Take It
You can take ropinirole with or without food. If you stop taking ropinirole for a period of time, you may need to start the medicine again at a lower dose. For Parkinson's, the usual starting dose is 0.25 mg three times a day. For RLS, the usual starting dose is 0.25 mg once a day, 1 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Ropinirole may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ropinirole passes into breast milk, but it may reduce milk production.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store ropinirole at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 7,807 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 14,664 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
14,664
Death-Related Reports
1,369
Hospitalization Reports
4,485
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,153 |
| 2 | FALL | 1,004 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 920 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 852 |
| 5 | DIZZINESS | 721 |
| 6 | HALLUCINATION | 711 |
| 7 | PAIN | 630 |
| 8 | DEATH | 623 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 602 |
| 10 | DYSPNOEA | 591 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 567 |
| 12 | OFF LABEL USE | 541 |
| 13 | INSOMNIA | 537 |
| 14 | HEADACHE | 528 |
| 15 | GAIT DISTURBANCE | 512 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Ropinirole can cause you to fall asleep suddenly, even during normal daily activities. Some people have fainted while taking ropinirole. Ropinirole can lower your blood pressure, especially when you stand up. It may also cause hallucinations or unusual behaviors. Some people taking ropinirole have reported problems with impulse control, such as gambling or overeating.
Known Drug Interactions
Coadministration of ciprofloxacin, an inhibitor of CYP1A2, increases the AUC and C max of ropinirole [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Mechanism: Ciprofloxacin blocks the liver enzyme that normally clears ropinirole from your body, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your ropinirole dose to prevent side effects while you take this antibiotic.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS · Inhibitors or inducers of CYP1A2: May alter the clearance of ropinirole tablets; dose adjustment of ropinirole tablets may be required (7.1, 12.3) · Hormone replacement therapy(HRT): Starting or stopping HRT may require dose adjustment of ropinirole tablets (7.2, 12.3) · Dopamine antagonists (e.g., neuroleptics, metoclopramide): May reduce efficacy of ropinirole tablets (7.3) 7.1 Cytochrome P450 1A2 Inhibitors and Inducers In vitro metabolism studies showed that CYP1A2 is the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ropinirole. 7.3 Dopamine Antagonists Because ro...
Mechanism: These drugs have opposite effects on dopamine in the brain, which can stop ropinirole from working properly.
What to do: Avoid using these medicines together because they can cancel each other out and reduce the benefit of your treatment.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS · Inhibitors or inducers of CYP1A2: May alter the clearance of ropinirole tablets; dose adjustment of ropinirole tablets may be required (7.1, 12.3) · Hormone replacement therapy(HRT): Starting or stopping HRT may require dose adjustment of ropinirole tablets (7.2, 12.3) · Dopamine antagonists (e.g., neuroleptics, metoclopramide): May reduce efficacy of ropinirole tablets (7.3) 7.1 Cytochrome P450 1A2 Inhibitors and Inducers In vitro metabolism studies showed that CYP1A2 is the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ropinirole. 7.3 Dopamine Antagonists Because ro...
Mechanism: Metoclopramide blocks the brain receptors that ropinirole needs to activate, making the treatment less effective.
What to do: Consult your healthcare provider before using these together, as this combination may prevent ropinirole from helping your symptoms.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking ropinirole?
What should I do if I feel dizzy?
Can I drink alcohol while taking ropinirole?
How long does it take for ropinirole to work?
Can I stop taking ropinirole suddenly?
Does ropinirole interact with other medications?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can ropinirole cause weight gain?
Is ropinirole addictive?
What should I do if I experience hallucinations?
What are the common side effects of ropinirole?
Does ropinirole interact with other medications?
What drug class is ropinirole?
Is ropinirole safe during pregnancy?
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for ropinirole
The FDA label for ropinirole (sold under brand names such as Requip) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Dopamine Agonist class. Ropinirole is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Official labeling lists 14 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Sleepiness, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 7,807 voluntary reports. The database also lists 3 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.04.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 7, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages