Requip (Ropinirole): Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
A dopamine agonist used to treat Parkinson’s disease by mimicking the action of dopamine in the brain
Requip (ropinirole) is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist prescribed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, compensating for the reduced dopamine levels that cause the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease – including tremor, stiffness, and slowed movement. Ropinirole can be used as monotherapy in early Parkinson’s disease or in combination with levodopa in more advanced stages. Important warnings include the risk of sudden sleep onset, impulse control disorders (such as pathological gambling and compulsive behaviors), and the need to avoid abrupt discontinuation. Requip is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and is available as both immediate-release and prolonged-release tablets.
Quick Facts: Requip
Key Takeaways
- Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist for Parkinson’s disease: It stimulates dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the brain, helping to improve tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowed movement) characteristic of Parkinson’s disease.
- Risk of sudden sleep onset: Requip can cause extreme drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks, sometimes without warning. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness.
- Impulse control disorders are a recognized side effect: Patients may develop pathological gambling, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, or hypersexuality. Report any unusual urges or behavioral changes to your doctor immediately.
- Never stop Requip abruptly: Sudden discontinuation can trigger a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with symptoms including high fever, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness. Always taper the dose gradually under medical supervision.
- Dose must be increased slowly: Treatment starts at a low dose (0.25 mg three times daily) and is gradually increased over several weeks to minimize side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and fainting.
What Is Requip and What Is It Used For?
Requip (ropinirole) is a dopamine agonist medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It works by mimicking the action of dopamine, a natural brain chemical that is deficient in people with Parkinson’s disease, thereby reducing motor symptoms including tremor, stiffness, and slowed movement.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately 1–2% of people over the age of 60 worldwide. The disease is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. As dopamine levels decrease, patients develop characteristic motor symptoms: resting tremor, muscle rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. These symptoms progressively worsen over time and significantly impact quality of life.
Ropinirole belongs to a class of drugs called non-ergoline dopamine agonists. Unlike older ergoline-derived dopamine agonists (such as bromocriptine and cabergoline), ropinirole does not carry the risk of fibrotic complications affecting the heart valves, lungs, or retroperitoneal tissues. Ropinirole selectively stimulates dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the striatum, effectively mimicking the action of the missing dopamine and improving motor function.
In early Parkinson’s disease, ropinirole can be used as monotherapy – meaning it is the sole treatment used to control symptoms. Clinical trials have demonstrated that ropinirole monotherapy significantly improves motor function scores compared to placebo, as measured by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). By starting treatment with a dopamine agonist rather than levodopa, clinicians can delay the onset of levodopa-associated motor complications such as dyskinesia (involuntary movements) and motor fluctuations (wearing-off and on-off phenomena), which become increasingly problematic with long-term levodopa use.
In more advanced Parkinson’s disease, ropinirole is often used as an adjunct to levodopa therapy. When added to levodopa, ropinirole can reduce the daily levodopa dose required and decrease the duration of “off” periods – times when the medication is not working effectively and symptoms return. This combination approach is endorsed by major international guidelines including those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Movement Disorder Society (MDS), and the European Academy of Neurology (EAN).
How Ropinirole Works
Ropinirole is a selective non-ergoline dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist. In the brain, dopamine normally acts on several types of receptors (D1 through D5) in the basal ganglia – a group of structures involved in motor control. When dopamine-producing neurons degenerate in Parkinson’s disease, the resulting dopamine deficiency disrupts the normal signaling pathways in the basal ganglia, leading to the characteristic motor symptoms.
By binding to and activating D2 and D3 receptors, ropinirole restores dopaminergic signaling in these circuits. The D3 receptors are particularly concentrated in the mesolimbic system and have been implicated in both the therapeutic benefits (improved motivation and mood) and some adverse effects (impulse control disorders) of dopamine agonists. Ropinirole has minimal activity at D1, D4, and D5 receptors, and negligible affinity for serotonin, adrenergic, and muscarinic receptors, which contributes to its relatively selective pharmacological profile.
What Should You Know Before Taking Requip?
Before starting Requip, your doctor needs to know about your medical history, other medications, and lifestyle factors. Requip is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney disease, liver disease, or known allergy to ropinirole. Important precautions include the risk of impulse control disorders, sudden sleep attacks, and hallucinations.
Contraindications – Do Not Take Requip If You:
- Are allergic to ropinirole (as hydrochloride) or any of the other ingredients in the tablets (including lactose monohydrate)
- Have severe kidney disease (severe renal impairment) – ropinirole clearance is significantly reduced and dose adjustment is not well-established in this population
- Have liver disease (hepatic impairment) – ropinirole is extensively metabolized by the liver and impaired liver function can lead to dangerously elevated drug levels
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Requip if any of the following apply to you, as additional monitoring or dose adjustments may be required:
- Serious heart problems: Ropinirole can cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up), particularly during dose escalation. Patients with cardiovascular disease should be monitored carefully.
- Serious mental health conditions: Dopamine agonists can cause or worsen psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Patients with a history of psychosis should use ropinirole with caution.
- History of impulse control disorders: If you or your family have a history of gambling addiction, compulsive eating, compulsive shopping, or hypersexuality, you may be at higher risk for developing these behaviors while taking ropinirole.
- Lactose intolerance: Requip tablets contain lactose monohydrate. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate certain sugars, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Age under 18 years: Requip is not normally prescribed to children and adolescents. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.
Tell your doctor immediately if you or your family/caregiver notices that you are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you, including:
- Strong impulse to gamble excessively despite serious personal or family consequences
- Altered or increased sexual interest and behavior causing significant concern
- Uncontrollable excessive shopping or spending
- Binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time) or compulsive eating
- Periods of overactivity, elation, or irritability (symptoms of mania)
Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or discontinue the medication.
Driving and Using Machines
Requip can make you feel drowsy. The medication can cause extreme sleepiness and sometimes patients fall asleep very suddenly without any warning. This is particularly important for patients who drive or operate heavy machinery. If you experience somnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness) or have fallen asleep suddenly, you must not drive, operate machines, or place yourself in any situation where drowsiness could put you or others at risk of serious injury. Do not resume these activities until such episodes have completely resolved. Discuss this with your doctor before resuming driving.
Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) can also occur during treatment with ropinirole. If you experience hallucinations, do not drive or operate machines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Requip is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor has determined that the benefit to you outweighs the potential risk to your unborn child. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on fetal development, although there are limited data from human pregnancies. If you become pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
Requip is not recommended during breastfeeding as it may affect milk production. Ropinirole may suppress lactation by reducing prolactin levels. Your doctor will advise you whether to stop taking Requip or stop breastfeeding.
Smoking and Requip
Tell your doctor if you start or stop smoking while taking Requip. Ropinirole is metabolized primarily by the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which is induced (made more active) by compounds in tobacco smoke. This means that smoking can lower ropinirole blood levels, potentially reducing its effectiveness. Conversely, stopping smoking may increase ropinirole levels, potentially leading to more side effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose accordingly.
How Does Requip Interact with Other Drugs?
Ropinirole interacts with several medications, particularly drugs that affect the CYP1A2 liver enzyme or that act on the dopamine system. Key interactions include fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, metoclopramide, sulpiride, and hormone replacement therapy. Always inform your doctor of all medications you are taking.
Drug interactions with ropinirole can occur through two main mechanisms: pharmacokinetic interactions (where another drug changes how ropinirole is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, or eliminated) and pharmacodynamic interactions (where another drug enhances or counteracts the effects of ropinirole). Understanding these interactions is essential for safe and effective treatment.
Major Interactions
The following medications have clinically significant interactions with ropinirole and may require dose adjustments, increased monitoring, or avoidance:
| Drug | Type | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluvoxamine | CYP1A2 inhibitor | Can significantly increase ropinirole blood levels, increasing risk of side effects | Dose adjustment may be needed; close monitoring required |
| Ciprofloxacin | CYP1A2 inhibitor | Can increase ropinirole blood levels by up to 84% | Dose reduction may be needed during co-administration; re-adjust after antibiotic is stopped |
| Enoxacin | CYP1A2 inhibitor | Can increase ropinirole blood levels | Monitor for increased side effects; dose adjustment may be required |
| Metoclopramide | Dopamine antagonist | Opposes the dopamine agonist effect of ropinirole, reducing efficacy | Avoid combination; use alternative antiemetic (e.g., domperidone) |
| Sulpiride | Dopamine antagonist | Opposes the dopamine agonist effect of ropinirole | Avoid combination; antipsychotic dopamine antagonists can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms |
| HRT (estrogens) | CYP1A2 inhibitor | Higher ropinirole levels observed in women on HRT | Dose adjustment may be needed when starting or stopping HRT |
Interaction with Levodopa
Ropinirole is commonly used alongside levodopa (L-dopa) in the management of Parkinson’s disease. When adding ropinirole to an existing levodopa regimen, patients may experience dyskinesias (involuntary movements). If this occurs, your doctor may reduce your levodopa dose. No pharmacokinetic interaction has been observed between ropinirole and levodopa, meaning neither drug significantly alters the blood levels of the other. However, the pharmacodynamic enhancement of dopaminergic activity can lead to additive side effects.
Anticoagulants
If you are taking vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin alongside Requip, your doctor may need to monitor your blood clotting more frequently (via INR testing). While there is no established pharmacokinetic interaction, clinicians should be aware of the potential need for dose adjustments during the initiation or dose changes of ropinirole in anticoagulated patients.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, have recently taken, or might take, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications. Remember to inform your doctor if you start any new medication while taking Requip, as interactions may require dose adjustments.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Requip?
The dose of Requip must be increased gradually (titrated) to minimize side effects. Treatment typically starts at 0.25 mg three times daily and is slowly increased over several weeks. The usual maintenance dose for Parkinson’s disease is 3–9 mg per day, though some patients may need up to 24 mg per day.
Always take Requip exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your individual response, tolerability, and whether you are taking other Parkinson’s disease medications. The dose titration period is critical – starting at a low dose and increasing gradually helps your body adapt to the medication and reduces the likelihood of side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults – Parkinson’s Disease (Immediate-Release Tablets)
Week 1
0.25 mg three times daily (total daily dose: 0.75 mg)
Week 2
0.5 mg three times daily (total daily dose: 1.5 mg)
Week 3
0.75 mg three times daily (total daily dose: 2.25 mg)
Week 4
1 mg three times daily (total daily dose: 3 mg)
Maintenance (Weeks 5+)
The dose is then gradually increased in weekly increments of 0.5–1 mg per dose (1.5–3 mg per day) until the optimal therapeutic response is achieved. The usual maintenance dose is 1–3 mg three times daily (3–9 mg per day). Some patients may require up to 8 mg three times daily (total maximum: 24 mg per day).
Children and Adolescents
Requip is not recommended for patients under 18 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established in this population.
Elderly Patients
No specific dose adjustment is required for elderly patients solely based on age. However, as Parkinson’s disease predominantly affects older adults, elderly patients should be monitored closely for orthostatic hypotension, hallucinations, and excessive drowsiness, which may be more common in this age group. Dose increases should be made cautiously.
How to Take Requip
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. It is best to take Requip with food, as this can reduce the likelihood of nausea – one of the most common side effects during the initial treatment period. Take your doses at approximately the same times each day to maintain consistent blood levels of the medication.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it. Simply take your next dose at the usual time. If you have missed Requip for one day or more, contact your doctor for advice on how to restart treatment, as re-titration may be necessary.
Overdose
If you have taken more Requip than prescribed, contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention immediately. Show them your Requip packaging if possible. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness (a spinning sensation), drowsiness, mental or physical fatigue, fainting, and hallucinations. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic, as there is no specific antidote for ropinirole overdose.
If you need to stop taking Requip, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose over days to weeks. Abruptly stopping ropinirole can trigger neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a potentially life-threatening condition with symptoms including:
- Akinesia (loss of muscle movement)
- Severe muscle rigidity
- High fever
- Unstable blood pressure
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
- Confusion and decreased level of consciousness (including coma)
Additionally, dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS) may occur, causing depression, anxiety, apathy, fatigue, sweating, and pain. If these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks after stopping, your doctor may need to adjust your treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Requip?
Like all medicines, Requip can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects are fainting, drowsiness, and nausea. Side effects are more likely at the start of treatment and when the dose is being increased, and usually become milder over time.
The side effects of ropinirole are primarily related to its dopaminergic activity. Stimulation of dopamine receptors outside the intended target areas can cause nausea and vomiting (through the chemoreceptor trigger zone), orthostatic hypotension (through peripheral vasodilation), and psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations and impulse control disorders. If you are concerned about any side effects, contact your doctor.
Very Common Side Effects
May affect more than 1 in 10 people
- Fainting (syncope)
- Drowsiness (somnolence)
- Nausea
Common Side Effects
May affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- Vomiting
- Dizziness (a spinning sensation)
- Heartburn (dyspepsia)
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen legs, feet, or hands (peripheral edema)
Uncommon Side Effects
May affect up to 1 in 100 people
- Dizziness and feeling faint on standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (extreme somnolence)
- Sudden onset of sleep without prior drowsiness (sleep attacks)
- Psychiatric side effects: delirium (severe confusion), delusions (irrational beliefs), and paranoia
- Hiccups
Frequency Not Known
Cannot be estimated from available data
- Allergic reactions: hives (urticaria), swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat (angioedema), rash, severe itching
- Aggression
- Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (excessive craving for high doses of dopaminergic medications)
- Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS): depression, apathy, anxiety, fatigue, sweating, pain after stopping treatment
- Changes in liver function (detected in blood tests)
- Spontaneous penile erection (priapism)
You may experience the inability to resist the impulse to perform actions that could be harmful, including:
- Strong impulse to gamble excessively despite serious consequences
- Altered or increased sexual interest and behavior
- Uncontrollable excessive shopping and spending
- Binge eating or compulsive eating
Tell your doctor if you experience any of these behaviors. Your doctor will discuss ways to manage or reduce the symptoms, which may include adjusting the dose or stopping the medication.
Side Effects When Taking Requip with Levodopa
Patients taking ropinirole in combination with levodopa may experience additional side effects. Dyskinesias (involuntary movements) are a very common side effect of this combination. If you are taking levodopa and experience involuntary movements when you start Requip, tell your doctor, as they may need to adjust your levodopa dose. Confusion is also a common side effect in patients taking both medications.
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly to your national medicines regulatory authority (e.g., FDA MedWatch in the US, Yellow Card Scheme in the UK, or EMA EudraVigilance in the EU). Reporting helps to continuously monitor the benefit-risk balance of medicines.
How Should You Store Requip?
Store Requip at room temperature (below 25°C / 77°F) in the original packaging to protect from light. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
Proper storage is essential to maintain the effectiveness and safety of ropinirole. Follow these guidelines to ensure your medication remains in optimal condition:
- Temperature: Store at room temperature, not exceeding 25°C (77°F). Do not expose to excessive heat or direct sunlight.
- Light protection: Keep Requip in the original packaging to protect it from light, as ropinirole is light-sensitive.
- Children: Keep Requip out of the sight and reach of children at all times.
- Expiry date: Do not use Requip after the expiry date (EXP) stated on the blister pack and outer carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.
- Disposal: Do not dispose of medications in household waste or sewage. Return unused or expired medication to your pharmacy for safe disposal to protect the environment.
What Does Requip Contain?
Each Requip tablet contains ropinirole (as hydrochloride) as the active ingredient. Tablets are available in multiple strengths: 0.25 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg. The tablets also contain lactose monohydrate and other inactive excipients.
Active Ingredient
The active substance is ropinirole (as hydrochloride). Depending on the tablet strength:
- 0.25 mg tablets: Each film-coated tablet contains 0.25 mg ropinirole (as hydrochloride)
- 1 mg tablets: Each film-coated tablet contains 1 mg ropinirole (as hydrochloride)
- 2 mg tablets: Each film-coated tablet contains 2 mg ropinirole (as hydrochloride)
- 5 mg tablets: Each film-coated tablet contains 5 mg ropinirole (as hydrochloride)
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
The excipients in Requip tablets include:
- Tablet core: Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate
- Film coating (varies by strength): Hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E171), polysorbate 80 (E433), yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172), indigocarmine aluminum lake (E132)
Requip tablets contain a small amount of lactose monohydrate. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. This medicine also contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per tablet, meaning it is essentially sodium-free.
Tablet Appearance
Requip tablets are pentagonal (five-sided), film-coated tablets marked “SB” on one side. They can be distinguished by color and imprint:
- 0.25 mg: White tablets, marked “4890” on the other side
- 1 mg: Green tablets, marked “4892” on the other side
- 2 mg: Pink tablets, marked “4893” on the other side
- 5 mg: Blue tablets, marked “4894” on the other side
The 0.25 mg tablets are available in blister packs of 21, 84, or 210 tablets. The 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg tablets are available in blister packs of 21 and 84 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed in all countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Requip
Requip immediate-release tablets (film-coated) are designed to be taken three times daily. They release ropinirole quickly, reaching peak blood levels within 1–2 hours, with each dose lasting approximately 6 hours. Requip prolonged-release (extended-release) tablets are taken once daily and release ropinirole gradually over a 24-hour period, providing more stable plasma levels throughout the day. Both formulations contain the same active ingredient and treat Parkinson’s disease. The prolonged-release formulation may offer better convenience and potentially smoother symptom control with fewer fluctuations. Your doctor will determine which formulation is most suitable for you.
Yes, this is a well-documented and clinically important side effect. Ropinirole and other dopamine agonists can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden onset of sleep (sleep attacks), sometimes without any warning signs of drowsiness beforehand. These episodes can occur at any point during treatment, but are more likely during dose escalation. If you experience excessive drowsiness or episodes of suddenly falling asleep, you must stop driving and operating heavy machinery immediately and inform your doctor. Do not resume driving until these episodes have completely resolved and your doctor has confirmed it is safe to do so.
Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are behavioral side effects in which patients develop an inability to resist certain urges. The most commonly reported ICDs with dopamine agonists include pathological gambling, compulsive shopping (oniomania), binge eating disorder, and hypersexuality. Studies have reported ICDs in approximately 13–17% of patients taking dopamine agonists, compared to about 6% in patients on levodopa alone. Risk factors for developing ICDs include younger age, male sex, history of substance abuse, and higher dopamine agonist doses. If you or your family notice any unusual behavioral changes, report them to your doctor promptly. These symptoms typically improve when the medication dose is reduced or the drug is discontinued.
Abruptly stopping ropinirole can lead to two serious conditions. First, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening emergency characterized by high fever, severe muscle rigidity, altered consciousness, rapid heartbeat, and unstable blood pressure. NMS requires immediate medical treatment, usually in a hospital setting. Second, dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS) can cause significant psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, apathy, fatigue, sweating, and pain that may persist for weeks or months. To avoid these complications, your doctor will always taper your dose gradually over days to weeks. Never stop taking Requip on your own without medical supervision.
Yes, smoking can significantly affect ropinirole blood levels. Ropinirole is primarily metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP1A2. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke are potent inducers of CYP1A2, meaning they increase the enzyme’s activity and accelerate the breakdown of ropinirole. This results in lower ropinirole blood levels, which may reduce the drug’s effectiveness. If you stop smoking, CYP1A2 activity returns to normal levels, causing ropinirole blood levels to rise – potentially increasing the risk of side effects. Always inform your doctor if you change your smoking habits during treatment, as a dose adjustment may be necessary.
Requip is not recommended during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the risk to the unborn child. Animal reproduction studies have shown adverse effects on embryo-fetal development, including reduced body weight and increased stillbirths at high doses. However, there are very limited data from human pregnancies. Ropinirole may also suppress lactation (milk production) by lowering prolactin levels, so it is not recommended during breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, suspect you might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, discuss your treatment options with your doctor immediately. Your doctor may consider switching to an alternative medication with a better-established safety profile in pregnancy.
References
- Rascol O, Brooks DJ, Korczyn AD, et al. A five-year study of the incidence of dyskinesia in patients with early Parkinson’s disease who were treated with ropinirole or levodopa. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;342(20):1484-1491. doi:10.1056/NEJM200005183422004
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Requip – Summary of Product Characteristics. GlaxoSmithKline. Accessed January 2026.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Parkinson’s disease in adults: diagnosis and management (NG71). Updated July 2017.
- Fox SH, Katzenschlager R, Lim SY, et al. International Parkinson and movement disorder society evidence-based medicine review: Update on treatments for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders. 2018;33(8):1248-1266. doi:10.1002/mds.27372
- Weintraub D, Koester J, Potenza MN, et al. Impulse control disorders in Parkinson disease: a cross-sectional study of 3090 patients. Archives of Neurology. 2010;67(5):589-595. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2010.65
- British National Formulary (BNF). Ropinirole. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Updated 2025.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Requip (ropinirole hydrochloride) – Prescribing Information. GlaxoSmithKline. Revised 2024.
- Pahwa R, Lyons KE. Ropinirole therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology. 2020;16(1):17-25. doi:10.1080/17425255.2020.1702645
- World Health Organization. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines – 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
- Connolly BS, Lang AE. Pharmacological treatment of Parkinson disease: a review. JAMA. 2014;311(16):1670-1683. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.3654
Editorial Team
This article has been written and reviewed by the iMedic medical editorial team according to our strict editorial standards. Our team consists of licensed physicians, pharmacists, and medical researchers with expertise in neurology, clinical pharmacology, and movement disorders.
Content developed by iMedic’s medical writing team based on current international guidelines (WHO, EMA, FDA, BNF, NICE, MDS) and peer-reviewed neurological and pharmacological research.
Independently reviewed and fact-checked by the iMedic Medical Review Board, comprising board-certified specialists in neurology, clinical pharmacology, and movement disorders.
All medical claims are supported by Level 1A evidence (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials) following the GRADE evidence framework.
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