Ropinirole and Nausea: What Users Say

• dai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2016

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I had been on generic ropinirole for months, and because it was so effective, I tolerated severe nausea, nasal congestion, hiccups, and flushing because I was desperate to sleep. When I talked to my neurologist, he had me switch to the name brand based on side effects, and it was so bizarre. The drug works great and with zero side effects. He said the dosing range that generics are allowed to meet is much too large for some of the neurology drugs, and because pharmacy plans frequently switch which generic manufacturer they use, it is impossible to avoid dosage problems as well. The issue for me was also one of side effects from additives that were not in brand Requip but were in the generic. Hope this helps someone."

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 10, 2016

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had severe refractory full body RLS for 10 years. My symptoms are 24/7 without medication. I was prescribed Requip, and it was one of the worst nights of my life! I was terribly nauseous and vomited all night. But even worse than that was the fact that it made my RLS much worse. I had the same results with Mirapex. My doctor tried me on several other meds. None of them worked, and some made the RLS worse like the Requip and Mirapex did. I ended up hurting my shoulder pretty badly, and my doctor prescribed Tramadol. Lo and behold, once it got into my system, the RLS was gone! I've been taking the Tramadol every 6 hours for 9 years now and am still symptom-free and doing great!"

• Bet...
• February 8, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I’ve had restless leg syndrome for about 30 years, guessing!! I tried a lot of products, but ropinirole seems to be at the top of the list!! My legs start moving around 8 pm most of the time. If I’m watching TV or sitting down, I have to get up and move. I started with 0.25 mg twice a day, now I’m on 1 mg!! Since last year, not a year yet!! They were working wonderfully, but now and then, my legs seem to be moving again. It gets so discouraging sometimes!! Soon, I will check with my doctor. I may have to increase the dosage a little!! The worst thing is, sometimes I get weird dreams-not pleasant at all, but not all the time. I also get nausea, but when I lie down, it seems to pass off!! I take ginger chews, they seem to help!! Hope this helps someone!! Hope there is a cure for this sometime in the future!! I am 64 years old. I would not be able to do without ropinirole, or I would be up all night long!! Thank you for allowing me to share!!!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I started Requip 1 mg at bedtime. It worked great for 3-4 months. My Dr. increased the dosage so I now take 3 mg at bedtime. Again, it worked great for a few months, and then the symptoms reappeared. The Requip is better than nothing, but I was up pacing the floors when I should have been sleeping. My husband suggested acupuncture, and that has made a huge difference. I take the Requip 3 mg with 3 saltines to prevent nausea and vomiting. I have an acupuncture treatment every 2 weeks, and no problems when I go to bed."

• rai...
• February 28, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had restless legs syndrome for 20 years or so now. I have been taking Requip for almost the entire time it was diagnosed, and I have a severe case. In the past few months, I have experienced some nausea, dizziness, pain, and tiredness after my first dose in the morning. I did not realize this could be a side effect of the medication. I take 4mg, 3X a day. If I did not, I would never sleep, sit through a movie, or be able to focus on work. I will put up with the side effects."

• PBa...
• November 14, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had RLS for 35 years and have taken ropinirole for 15 years. Today I am one week ropinirole-free. A reviewer here says, 'started on 2 mg ropinirole and vomiting.' Ropinirole should be started on the lowest dose, around 0.25 mg, and slowly titrated upwards and taken with food to reduce nausea. To start on 2 mg is madness. The official guideline is that the max daily dose for ropinirole is 4 mg, but many RLS experts (John Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, etc.) say experience shows this is just asking for augmentation and the max daily dose should be no more than 1 mg. Because of augmentation, I knew I had to get off the ropinirole and was afraid of the withdrawals. I was on 5 mg daily, and it took a year slowly weaning. Ropinirole can seem like a wonder drug, but it has a high rate of augmentation."

• Dee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 5, 2020

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking Requip for probably 15 years for RLS. Then I was moved up to Requip XL, and I've been taking that just fine for probably another 8 years. And if you have restless leg syndrome, do you know what I'm talking about? There's no such thing as sleep, you just can't. I would rather go without my heart medication and have a heart attack than get no sleep and have a heart attack. Because my Requip works, I have to have the brand name. The ropinirole makes me very sick, sick to my stomach. I threw all my pills up, and that doesn't do any good. It also makes me sick to my stomach and nauseous all day, I don't want that either. So for the last four months, I have been trying to refill my Requip, and nobody seems to have it. Did they stop making the real thing? Please tell me they did not stop making Requip and all they have is ropinirole. It would be the end of me, I cannot find the real thing. I need the real thing!"

• Dee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 5, 2020

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking Requip for probably 15 years for RLS. Then I was moved up to Requip XL, and I've been taking that just fine for probably another 8 years. And if you have restless leg syndrome, do you know what I'm talking about? There's no such thing as sleep, you just can't. I would rather go without my heart medication and have a heart attack than get no sleep and have a heart attack. Because my Requip works, I have to have the brand name. The ropinirole makes me very sick, sick to my stomach. I threw all my pills up, and that doesn't do any good. It also makes me sick to my stomach and nauseous all day, I don't want that either. So for the last four months, I have been trying to refill my Requip, and nobody seems to have it. Did they stop making the real thing? Please tell me they did not stop making Requip and all they have is ropinirole. It would be the end of me, I cannot find the real thing. I need the real thing!"

• bla...
• February 21, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "Let me first start by saying that Requip did work very well to control my restless legs syndrome. (I have terrible, uncontrollable leg movement/pain.) However, the side effects of the higher dosage made me very sick. Approximately one hour before bedtime, I had taken the pill. I began to feel extremely nauseous, with excruciating stomach cramps, chills, and my head started spinning. I could barely make it to the bathroom, where I immediately threw up. I found relief soon thereafter from the side effects. I continued having a mild stomach ache about 4 hours later. Requip should definitely be taken in a smaller dosage at first. Then move up gradually when you feel that the dosage isn't covering all your pains. I take Requip daily and have for 10 years for my RLS. Feel better!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2018

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "Been on Requip, 1 mg for over ten years. The first 10 days or so, it was awful. Thought I would pass out. Kept stopping and starting again. Then, like magic, no more side effects and worked 90% of the time. Retired this year and switched to cheaper ropinirole, 2 mg, as the lower dose was useless! Nausea too. So, now it’s 8 months later and switched back to brand Requip. Some things are just not worth the cheaper price. Grateful I will sleep tonight!!"

• Joj...
• August 22, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I was given a 2 mg ropinirole dose for restless leg and terrible leg cramps. I’m currently taking Wellbutrin for depression and trazodone at night for insomnia. The first night of taking it, within 30 minutes I wasn’t able to rest, felt terribly ill with nausea, and stood next to the toilet for over 2 hours. I finally lay down but was awake all night trying not to vomit. I was ill all day the next day, like flu symptoms, and wasn’t able to function. Called my doctor and was told to take my Wellbutrin in the morning. Tried it the second night, lay in bed, and it started making me sick again, and this time I was projectile vomiting. I was sick the next day and wasn’t able to function again. That medicine was thrown in the trash, and I get nauseous just thinking about what it did to me. Apparently, I can’t find any drug interactions between Requip and my other meds. This medicine was the sole cause of the two days of illness. I hope this will help others that have also had this problem."

• Sho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 31, 2019

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "Wonderful, especially the extended release. Generic makes me deathly nauseous. Requip is a miracle. Have had RLS since 10 years old. I am 63. Wocart stopped making generic that did not make me sick. Had to go to the brand name. Made me sick first 2 nights. Now the miracle for me."

• Ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I was prescribed Ropinirole 0.5 yesterday (3-27-19). Was told to start taking 1 a week, working my way up to taking 4 a week at week 4. I took my first dose at 10:40 pm, and within 45 min, was so disoriented I couldn't see straight and made my severe RLS 10x worse than before. My calves locked up as though I had a major charley horse, and I couldn't stop my legs from moving. I felt extremely nauseous as well. Now, the next day I have thrown up twice, my whole body hurts, and I feel like I have the flu (which isn't a coincidence). I'm unable to hold my head up, I'm terribly ill and weak from this medication today. This medicine has kept my mind fuzzy all day and caused extreme mood swings. I'm never like this ever, but once I took this 1 dose, I felt horrible. These horrible side effects aren't worth it, I'm so done with this medication."

• Drm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "It works great for Restless Legs Syndrome. I can finally sleep at night. I'm 41, and the first time I experienced RLS, I was 8. I could just do without the side effects. I'm on 2 mg, and I think if it was upped, my side effects would worsen. I feel sick to my stomach. I vomit at times. I've had hallucinations. It makes me feel like my blood sugar is dropping, but it's not. Just makes my body not feel right. Thinking about finding something else without these side effects."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I loved Requip the first 3 months with no side effects. I was on 0.5 mg. Then I started to have anxiety attacks, emotional meltdowns, fatigued muscles, hot flashes during nighttime, and nausea. I stopped the medicine and all my problems went away, unfortunately, my RLS came back."

• Wpa...
• October 16, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been suffering from RLS since a young child, and during the past year, it had gotten so bad I was barely getting 3 hours of sleep a night. My dear husband was ready to hit me over the head with a baseball bat! My primary care physician just prescribed ropinirole (Requip generic) for me a week ago. I am on a low dose, .25 mg, taken 1.5 hours before bedtime. So far, this has been a game changer for me! I feel more rested and so much more energized in the morning. The little bit of nausea (the only side effect I have so far) I am suffering is a small price to pay for no RLS. I still have some insomnia and wake several times during the night, so I will up my dose to .50 mg and go from there. This drug has been a miracle for me!"

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2016

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "After years of suffering with RLS and two especially bad nights, I finally went to the doctor, and he prescribed Requip. Last night was my first night taking it, and it did work. It made me extremely nauseated and gave me a massive headache, and I woke up every couple of hours. The third time I woke up, I took a diphenhydramine sleeping pill. That is important to know because generally, a sleeping pill would send the RLS through the roof, affecting even my arms. No RLS symptoms after I took the sleeping pill. My head still hurts, and I'm still a little nauseated, but my legs are not bothering me. Since it did cause a massive headache, I will try using it only when the RLS is active and see if that works better for me."

• Bma...
• March 12, 2018

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I began Ropinirole about 3 months ago. My RLS was out of control at bedtime and just sitting down for periods of time. I started with 1 mg before bed, then 2 mg, then 3 mg. I was SO SICK. Nauseated, using the restroom all the time, severe insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, confusion... However, most of these side effects have abated. My problem now is that right after I take the Ropinirole, my RLS gets horrible! It goes away after about an hour, but for that one hour, I'm in agony. Anyone else experience this? The restlessness is also in my arms. Ugh. Sometimes the insomnia persists. I'm also on clonazepam as needed."

• Sjc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have tried several different medications over the past years. Some work at first, but later stop. Some have horrible side effects or just are not effective. I have found that Requip extended release works nearly all the time for me. I have to set a reminder on my phone and take it (2 mg) at 4:15 pm. Regular (not ext release) Requip made me nauseous."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2012

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had restless legs syndrome for much longer than anyone knew what it was. I was a kid in the '70s getting in trouble for 'squirming' at my desk. It tends to act up more with periods of activity. When my wife and I were dating, I was at the gym and riding a bike, and I would wake up in the middle of the night and do stretches and anything to try and make the feeling go away. Recently, it has become unbearable again for some reason, it is ten years after the last bad period. I have tried Lyrica, which did not seem to help, Neurontin, which helped some but was wiping me out with tiredness, and I just switched to Mirapex because I couldn't see that 1-2 mg a night was doing anything but making me nauseous."

• Dag...
• February 18, 2012

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had restless legs syndrome since before there was any medicine or before they put a name on it. I called it shaken leg syndrome. Then finally, my Dr. put me on Requip as soon as it came out. I went up to 4 mg quickly, but I had it all over my body, so I went out searching again online and found 'NATURE'S INVENTORY.' They have an oil for RLS, and it works for moderate or less. So I use the oil when I'm out and about because Requip makes me very tired. I only have to take 2 mg Requip as long as I use the oil, too. Other side effects with Requip are: sweating, nausea. I nibble on my pill over about 2 hours and have no side effects that way. I can't imagine life without Requip."

• Dot...
• February 22, 2013

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had restless legs syndrome for 5 years. I started Requip at 1 mg, now I am taking 2.5 mg. I have had morning sickness every day. Nothing else works. I am hoping the path will work. I am willing to try anything."

• kas...
• March 17, 2009

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "After taking Mirapex for about a year, then developing horrible nausea and vomiting, my doctor switched me to Requip 0.5 mg at bedtime. This time, the relief from RLS only lasted about a week. After that, the nausea and vomiting returned with a vengeance, and I had to discontinue the medication immediately."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2020

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I started taking a 3 mg dose of ropinirole at night for my restless legs. I've had horrible restless legs for the past 2 years since I had my daughter. An hour after I took this medicine last night, I was very nauseous and started throwing up. I didn't have restless legs last night, but I was very sick for about an hour. I'm trying this medication one more night to see if I can get by without getting sick. If I do get sick again, I'm going to only take half of the medication next time."

• rfi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2018

For Restless Legs Syndrome "ADHD all my life, but RLS started after back surgery after a 40 mph bicycle accident. I was 62 then and am now 70. The symptoms start in the late afternoon or early evening and preclude anything like sitting quietly, reading, or watching a movie. At night, it was impossible to sleep, and I was getting depressed to the point of crying and having thoughts of ending it all. I'm now taking 3 mg at 8 pm (3 hrs before bed) with 30 mg of THC orally. Prior to the THC, the Requip would only afford me about 4 hrs of sleep a night. The THC helps with the nausea, hot flashes, and helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. Now I get 8+ hrs of sleep most nights. If anyone pursues this course of action, BE ADVISED, start out with 5 mg THC and increase as needed OVER WEEKS OR MONTHS! This combo has saved my life. Comments I've read here have brought me to tears. I hope this will help some of you. One person mentioned that it helps with ED. I can verify that. However, it does nothing for libido."