Does someone in your family or someone you know have Parkinson's disease? Or do you have this disease yourself? We know how difficult it is to live with symptoms such as tremors in the hands and feet, difficulty walking, and difficulty moving. So, Ropinirole is a drug that doctors often recommend to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This drug is an extended-release tablet. Today, we will talk briefly about this drug, how to use it, things to be careful about, and side effects.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before giving you Ropinirole, your doctor will want to know your complete medical history. This is because we need to be very careful when using this medicine with certain medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health status | Description |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | If you have or have had heart disease. |
| High Blood Pressure | If your blood pressure is high. |
| Low Blood Pressure | If your blood pressure is constantly low. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have a problem with kidney or liver function. |
| Sleep problems | If you have sleep apnea or narcolepsy. |
| Smoking | If you are a smoker, it may affect the effectiveness of the medicine. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to ropinirole or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How to use the medicine correctly?
It is very important to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, and at the right time.
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water .
- Never break, crush, or chew this pill. This is because it is designed to be absorbed into the body over several hours. If you break it, all the medicine can be absorbed into the body at once, causing dangerous side effects.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- You can take this with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with a meal .
- Do not stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to. Stopping the medication suddenly can worsen your symptoms and cause other serious problems.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to anyone else who has the same symptoms as you.
Things we should be especially careful about when taking this medicine:
You need to pay special attention to some aspects of your lifestyle while taking ropinirole.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Getting up suddenly from sitting or standing: Getting up suddenly can cause dizziness and fall. Especially if you are an elderly person, get up slowly.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can change the effects of this medication and increase drowsiness. Therefore , avoid alcohol completely.
A very dangerous warning!
This is very important. Some people may suddenly fall asleep without warning when taking this medicine. This can happen while driving, talking, or eating. This can happen without you feeling sleepy. If you experience this, stop doing activities such as driving immediately and tell your doctor immediately.
Unusual desires and behaviors
This is also very important. Some people may experience strange, uncontrollable cravings when taking this medication that they didn't have before.
- An excessive desire to gamble.
- Excessive sexual desire.
- Spending money unnecessarily and without control.
- Uncontrolled overeating.
If you or your family notice any of these changes in your behavior, tell your doctor right away. This is a side effect of the medication, not your fault.
What are the side effects of the medicine?
Like any medicine, Ropinirole can have side effects. Some are minor, but others we should be very careful about.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Mental changes | Mood swings, confusion, depressed mood, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations). |
| Blood pressure | Increase or decrease in blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, falls). |
| Heartbeat | If your heart feels like it is beating fast or irregularly. |
| Uncontrollable movements | Uncontrolled movements of the head, mouth, neck, arms, or legs. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system | Constipation, nausea, dry mouth. |
| General inconveniences | Headache, dizziness, drowsiness. |
Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help with dry mouth.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications, certain foods, and habits can affect how Ropinirole works. So, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
Here are some things that may interact with this medication:
- Alcohol
- Medicines for colds and allergies (Antihistamines)
- Some medications for conditions like depression and anxiety
- Sleeping pills
- Some medications for epilepsy (e.g. Phenobarbital)
- Some antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin
- Female hormones (e.g. estrogen, birth control pills)
- Blood pressure medication
- Medications given to induce sleep during surgery
- Tobacco (cigarette) use
This list is not complete, so it's best to inform your doctor about everything you're taking.
Take-Home Message
- Never break, crush, or chew Ropinirole (Extended-release) tablets. Swallow them whole.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Be aware of sudden sleepiness and unusual urges such as gambling or unnecessary spending while taking the medication. If this happens, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Be very careful about driving while taking this medication.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- See your doctor at the scheduled time and check your condition.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න