This article describes possible side effects of ropinirole oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about ropinirole, including the drug’s uses, dosages, and more.
Ropinirole oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Ropinirole also comes in an extended-release oral tablet, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of ropinirole
Ropinirole oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Below are some of the more common side effects of ropinirole oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in people taking ropinirole oral tablet for RLS include:
- nausea
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- vomiting
- fatigue or tiredness
More common side effects reported in people taking ropinirole oral tablet for early Parkinson’s disease include:
- nausea
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- fatigue or tiredness
- fainting
More common side effects reported in people taking ropinirole oral tablet for advanced Parkinson’s disease include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- headache
- mild dyskinesia*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ropinirole in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of ropinirole
Ropinirole may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects reported with ropinirole oral tablet include:
- nausea
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- headache
- fatigue or tiredness
- viral infection
- swelling in legs
- vomiting
- upset stomach
- sweating
- confusion
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- vision problems
- constipation
- joint pain
- upper respiratory tract infection
- anxiety
- mild dyskinesia*
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ropinirole in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with ropinirole oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Ropinirole oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of ropinirole
Ropinirole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from ropinirole oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with ropinirole.
Serious side effects reported with ropinirole oral tablet include:
- fainting
- low blood pressure
- high blood pressure
- changes in heart rate
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- paranoia (irrational mistrust or suspicion of a person)
- aggressive behavior
- agitation
- high fever
- muscle tightness
- skin cancer
- fibrotic conditions (conditions caused by scarring of tissue or organs)
- severe dyskinesia*
- sudden drowsiness*
- impulsive behaviors*†
- severe allergic reaction*‡
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ropinirole in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred after the drug was approved for use.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with ropinirole oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Get free cardCommon questions about side effects of ropinirole
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of ropinirole oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is ropinirole safe for older adults?
Maybe. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) may get rid of drugs more slowly from their bodies. This can cause ropinirole to reach higher levels in the body, which can increase the risk of side effects from the drug.
Doctors typically adjust your dosage of ropinirole based on how you tolerate and respond to the drug. So, if you’re an older adult taking the drug, your doctor will prescribe the best dosage for you.
Given your age, talk with your doctor if you are concerned about ropinirole side effects.
Does ropinirole cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases ropinirole oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with ropinirole oral tablet include:
- fibrotic conditions
- impulsive behavior*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ropinirole in detail” section below.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. You can ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of ropinirole may last.
Is weight gain a side effect of ropinirole?
No. Weight gain isn’t a known side effect of ropinirole. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. However, people reported weight loss while taking ropinirole oral tablet for advanced Parkinson’s disease.
If you experience changes in your weight while taking ropinirole, talk with your doctor.
Will I experience any side effects when coming off ropinirole?
Possibly. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if you suddenly stop taking ropinirole or lower your dosage too fast. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. They may include anxiety, depression, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, sweating, or pain.
To lower this risk, doctors will likely lower your dosage of ropinirole slowly over time until it’s safe for you to stop the drug completely.
If you experience any withdrawal symptoms, talk with your doctor right away. Do not stop taking ropinirole without talking with your doctor first.
Side effects of ropinirole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of ropinirole oral tablet.
Dyskinesia
Ropinirole oral tablet can cause new or worsened dyskinesia (uncontrollable and involuntary movements). Dyskinesia may be very mild, with slight movement or severe, involving multiple parts of the body.
Symptoms may include:
- fidgeting
- wriggling
- bobbing of the head
- twitching
- restlessness
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of dyskinesia, tell your doctor. They’ll likely adjust your ropinirole dosage.
Sudden drowsiness
Ropinirole oral tablet can cause sudden drowsiness, especially if you take other drugs that make you drowsy. This can cause you to fall asleep during typical activities, such as driving, operating heavy machinery, or eating. This can happen without warning and at any time during ropinirole treatment. And it can put you at serious risk of having accidents.
Ways to manage
If you experience sudden drowsiness while taking ropinirole, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop taking ropinirole.
Impulsive behaviors
Taking ropinirole may cause you to have impulsive behaviors (unusual urges that you may not be able to manage). These may include urges to gamble, have sex, shop, or spend money.
Ways to manage
If you or your loved ones notice that you have developed any unusual behaviors, tell your doctor. They may recommend that you stop taking ropinirole or lower your dosage.
Allergic reaction
For some people, ropinirole oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to ropinirole oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for ropinirole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking ropinirole oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take ropinirole oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether ropinirole oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking ropinirole oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- sleep disorders that cause unexpected sleepiness, daytime sleepiness, or unpredictable sleep
- smoking (if you smoke)
- high or low blood pressure
- heart problems
- past allergic reaction to ropinirole
Ropinirole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether ropinirole oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ropinirole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether ropinirole oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ropinirole and alcohol
Ropinirole oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Consuming alcohol while taking ropinirole oral tablet can increase your risk of sleepiness and sudden drowsiness.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with ropinirole oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of ropinirole oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does the risk of impulsive behavior depend on my dosage?
- How do the side effects of ropinirole compare with other drugs used for my condition?
- Is the risk of sudden drowsiness highest when I first start treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.