Common Use

Requip is prescribed to address dopamine deficiency and alleviate symptoms like stiffness, poor muscle control, tremors, and muscle spasms in patients with Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Dosage and Direction

Take Requip exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not exceed the prescribed dosage or take two doses at once. Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without your doctor's approval, as this may worsen symptoms such as fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion. It may take several weeks for the medication to show its full effect.

Precautions

Requip may cause drowsiness during activities like working, eating, talking, or driving. Avoid tasks that require high concentration until you understand how the medication affects you. Notify your doctor if you experience daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. Sleepiness may increase if Requip is taken with cold or allergy medications, muscle relaxers, narcotic pain relievers, sleeping pills, or medications for seizures, anxiety, or depression. This medication may also cause auditory or visual hallucinations. Regular skin exams may be necessary for Parkinson's patients due to an increased risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Inform your doctor if you have conditions such as high or low blood pressure, heart disease, mental illness, compulsive behaviors, liver or kidney problems, or if you smoke, as dose adjustments may be required.

Contraindication

Requip should not be used by patients with a known hypersensitivity to the medication.

Possible Side Effects

Notify your doctor if any of the following side effects persist or become bothersome: drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, unusual weakness, stomach upset, constipation, or dry mouth. To alleviate dry mouth, try sucking on sugarless hard candy, ice chips, or drinking water. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing or moving, hallucinations, confusion, leg or foot swelling, fainting, restlessness, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, twitching, chest pain, muscle pain, severe muscle stiffness, vision problems, fever, or a sudden irresistible urge to sleep.

Drug Interaction

Inform your doctor if you are taking narcotic pain relievers, sleeping pills, cold or allergy medications, muscle relaxers, or medications for depression, anxiety, or seizures, as these can increase drowsiness when taken with Requip. Also, notify your doctor about other Parkinson's medications, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levodopa, metoclopramide (Reglan), fluvoxamine (Luvox), omeprazole (Prilosec), estrogens (e.g., Ogen, Vivelle, estradiol, Estraderm, Estratest, Climara, Premarin, Prempro), or medications for nausea, vomiting, or mental illness, such as perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), promazine (Sparine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thiothixene (Navane), or haloperidol (Haldol).

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Signs of a Requip overdose may include fainting, agitation, confusion, nausea, vomiting, weakness, hallucinations, muscle twitching, chest pain, or a tingly feeling. Seek immediate medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Storage

Store Requip at room temperature, between 59-86°F (15-30°C), in a tightly sealed, dark container. Keep it away from heat, moisture, and sunlight.

Disclaimer

The information provided here offers general details about medications and does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. This information should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or doctor for specific instructions tailored to your condition. We disclaim any liability for the reliability of this information or any errors it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use of this information or from self-treatment.