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. See also Side Effects section.
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.
Interactions:
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thiothixene), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove ropinirole from your body (e.g., cimetidine, fluvoxamine, mexiletine, omeprazole), estrogens, metoclopramide.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
Check the labels on non-prescription medications for heartburn/upset stomach. They may contain drugs such as cimetidine or omeprazole that can affect the level of ropinirole in your body. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Cigarette smoking decreases the level of this medication in your bloodstream. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have recently stopped smoking.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
