Parkinson's medication Requip (Ropinirole) is indicated for treatment of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease, both as initial therapy, without levodopa, and as combination therapy (adjunctive treatment) with levodopa.
Requip (Ropinirole) is a potent, second-generation, nonergot dopamine agonist. Requip(Ropinirole) works by mimicking the effects of dopamine at the antiparkinsonian D2 family of receptors. A deficiency of dopamine at these receptors in a critical part of the brain called the striatum is believed to be responsible for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
The recommended starting dose of Requip (Ropinirole) is 0.25 mg three times daily. The Requip (Ropinirole) dosage should then be gradually increased in weekly increments of 0.25 mg per dose to reach a daily dose of 1 mg three times daily. Based on individual patient response,Requip (Ropinirole) dosage may be increased by 0.5 to 1.0 mg per dose on a weekly basis to a maximum daily dose of 24 mg. When Requip (Ropinirole) is administered as adjunctive therapy with levodopa, the concurrent dose of levodopa may be decreased gradually by 20 percent on average. Requip (Ropinirole) will be available within the next few weeks for both initial therapy and adjunctive therapy with levodopa in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg or 5 mg tablets. Requip (Ropinirole),unlike levodopa, does not need to be converted to dopamine and is immediately available to act on dopamine receptors. Clinical studies have shown that using Requip (Ropinirole) early in Parkinson's disease effectively controls motor symptoms, thereby delaying the use of levodopa.
There were hardly any reported Requip side effects and it was generally well tolerated. In early therapy studies.One of the most Requip side effects was nausea, which was related to the stimulation of dopamine receptors. Other Requip side effects that occurred less frequently included dizziness, somnolence, and headaches. In adjunctive therapy studies, in patients already experiencing motor fluctuations, the most common Requip side effects was dyskinesia. Other Requip side effects that occurred less frequently included nausea, dizziness, and somnolence.
Parkinson's disease affects the nervous system of the human body in a way that limits a person's ability to control some of his or her muscles. It is caused by a slow, gradual loss of cells in the brain that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is ultimately necessary for muscles to function normally.
In many people, this disease causes a slight, involuntary shaking of the arms and legs, called tremors. At times, muscles may feel somewhat stiff and rigid, and the patient may have difficulty moving his or her arms and legs or will only be able to move them slowly. Eventually, walking may become a slow process of taking small steps, which is called a shuffling gait.
The first step in diagnosing Parkinson's disease is to make certain the symptoms are not being caused by something else. Since there are no specific tests that confirm beyond a doubt that a person has this disease, doctors often base their conclusion on a clinical examination and tests such as a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) scan to eliminate other reasons for the patient's symptoms. Newer tools, such as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Position Emission Tomography), are sometimes used to diagnose Parkinson's disease. The following symptoms may or may not be seen in the early stages of Parkinson's disease:
Shaking of the hands, arms, legs, or feet while resting.
This shaking is often the symptom that prompts the person to visit the doctor. It may be more noticeable on one side of the body, and it may affect the hands more than the feet. The shaking usually stops, however, as soon as the patient uses his or her muscles
Slow movement or a brief, temporary delay in movement.
Difficulty in maintaining balance.
This sometimes happens while a person is changing positions
Rigidity or stiffness of limbs.
This may produce a shuffling gait—the slow, short-stepped walk that may occur during the early stages of this disease. Many people who experience the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease do not talk to their doctor about them. They think to themselves, "Maybe it will go away," or choose to ignore their symptoms because they are afraid of what the doctor might say. But if you are experiencing these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor to determine if they are being caused by Parkinson's disease. Advanced Stages
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease—over many years, its symptoms become more noticeable and more symptoms appear, which is why treatment is so important. The following symptoms may or may not be seen later in the progression of the disease:
Facial masking can occur if muscles in the face become rigid; a still facial expression with fewer blinks of the eyes can result. With successful treatment, however, this symptom sometimes disappears.
Speech difficulty may be noticed, for example, when the person pronounces two or more words together as one word or slurs some words. His or her voice may also be softer than before. Speaking in a softer voice or slurring of words may be noticeable or only slightly obvious. Difficulty swallowing can happen if the person has less control over the muscles in the back of his or her throat. However, severe difficulty in swallowing is rare.