Ropinirole and Vomiting: What Users Say

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Sne...
• December 25, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "Have been taking Requip for 6 months. You have to be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage and keep it as low as possible. It will or won't work for you, don't get impatient and take more shortly after the first dose. I am lucky in that I do not get the vomiting/stomach issues. But you can almost time it to the minute. I start to cough, my nose feels like it is swollen inside and no air can get through. Draining into the throat makes the cough much worse. 2 1/2 to 3 hours later, all better. Higher doses (2 mg) make it much worse. However, it still beats RLS without a doubt!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 8, 2012

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I began taking Requip when it first came on the market for restless legs syndrome. My symptoms got better for about 6 months, then slowly got worse. As the dosage increased, so did the symptoms. What began as nightly leg twitching/aches got so bad I began having anxiety attacks at night. It was very common for me to have an anxiety attack and end up getting up on the computer until about 3 a.m. until I couldn't keep my head up anymore (getting up at 5 a.m. for work, I was a walking zombie). Also, as the dosage increased, I began having symptoms while sitting at my desk at work and also experienced nightly vomiting/dry heaving. I became suicidal. After 6 years, I switched to Mirapex. After 5 years, I'm on minimal dosage with incredible results. I feel human again!"

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2014

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I've had an extreme case; it starts in my legs and finds its way to the arms and everywhere else. I've spent more nights than I care to remember screaming into my pillow. Requip completely quiets the syndrome - 100%. But... then I spend the next two hours wishing I hadn't taken it due to the endless projectile vomiting. I cannot take it, as I had developed hypophosphatemia from the vomiting. (I now take Klonopin 1 mg at bedtime, and it prevents RLS extremely well.)"

• Kam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I tried it last night for the first time, and I literally was on the phone with poison control for 30 minutes because I've never felt so sick in my entire life. It scared the beejesus out of me. Projectile vomiting, sweating, blacking out, anxiety through the roof, I had the fan on super low, and it felt like needles on my skin. Finally, after 3 hours of that, I fell asleep, but woke up a few hours ago, and I am still vomiting. My advice to anyone trying it for the first time: take a really small amount and make sure you have SOMETHING in your stomach."

• Sho...
• January 21, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "My restless legs syndrome has become really annoying in the past few months. I was on Gabapentin, which seemed to help, but it started to become less effective, so the Dr. switched to Requip. On my first night, I felt sick and had flu-like symptoms. The next day, I took it early and immediately felt sick and started to throw up and felt chills and then felt hot. This medicine did absolutely nothing for me besides make me sick."

• 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."

• 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."

• BAR...
• April 19, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Knew I had something wrong with me, didn't know for the longest time that it was RLS! Doctor tried 1 or 2 other pills, worked for a minute, then stopped! Started Requip some years ago, there was a side effect adjustment to be sure! I discovered that the '3 hours before bedtime' was too long for me, and then once I took a pill, could not eat or drink, not even water, or I would throw up. Now I take a pill (4 MG) every night immediately before I get into bed, and per sleep studies, I have gone from 39 leg movements per hour to zero! And help me if I don't take a pill before bed, there will be no sleep if that happens! I always carry some in my purse in case I get stuck somewhere and need to spend the night! Thanks, Requip!"

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2011

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "Has anyone noticed that Requip XL has more side effects than regular Requip? My doctor has been giving me samples of Requip XL to take instead of my regular Requip (insurance will not pay for Requip XL). I take 6 mg per day and have taken it for many years. My dosage has been as much as 12 mg, but I have reduced the dosage to get down to 6 mg. I still have breakthrough restless legs even when I take my medicine on schedule, and sometimes when I do not take my medicine on time, I will have restless legs for hours after I take my dose. I am having severe nausea, vomiting, sweats, flushing, hot flashes, dizziness, tiredness, etc."

• Nic...
• December 5, 2015

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I was taking amitriptyline for years, but started losing memory, then I started losing time. With Alzheimer's strong in family history, I had to make a change to my medication. I tried Horizant, 300 mg for a while, then bumped up the mg to 600/night. It still wasn't helping. My legs got worse and worse. I was taking Benadryl just to sleep, and sometimes even that didn't work. Fed up with crying and writhing in pain, I called my doctor who put me back on Requip. 3 mg to start. It was terrible! Incredible nausea, vomiting, sweats, syncope.... worst night of my life! I thought I was going to die! Luckily, my fiancé is a medical assistant, otherwise, I probably wouldn't be able to write this."

• Tho...
• January 1, 2011

Ropinirole for Restless Legs Syndrome "It took over 5 years before I was able to find out what I had in my legs, and behold, it was Restless Legs Syndrome. They gave me Requip, and it was great for about a month or so, no pain when I sat down, which was when I always felt the pain. But like some other users, I would wake up and dry vomit, or vomit, depends on how long it was since my last meal. It was not worth the morning sessions, so I stopped taking it. I hope this works for other people, but I am waiting for a better option. I would like to point out also my legs didn't hurt after I threw up, but it just was not worth it."

• Lau...
• January 2, 2015

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I am 34 and have had restless legs syndrome since I can remember, back probably to 3 and 4 years old. I started in 2006 when it was still brand, and the nausea took some getting used to but generally went away within 2 weeks or so. I stopped it after a year and was placed back on it last winter. I don't know if it's something about the generic or what, but the nausea this time has been horrible, to the point I have actually vomited and have to be ready to get in bed and fall asleep before the nausea kicks in. The thing is, it WORKS. I am prescribed 1 mg but can only really tolerate 0.5. I wonder if going back to brand will help."

• Kas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Was officially prescribed codeine for restless leg syndrome. The first night I slept like a well-fed and burped baby. Awesome, but it didn't last. Was then prescribed ropinirole 0.25 mg at night. Worked well, but 2 years later, the dosage has had to be increased to 2 mg. Works well, but I'm experiencing awful nausea, loss of appetite, and the thought of food makes me want to vomit. I hope this will pass."

• R66...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "First time to take ropinirole for RLS. Took 1 2 mg tablet at 9:45 pm. 30 minutes later I nauseated, a cold sweat, dizzy, and disoriented. Thought I needed to go to ER. I vomited a couple of times and felt better in about one hour. Will not use again."

• Pre...
• May 16, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have found out that I cannot take Repreve before dinner because if I do, I feel terrible, faint, hot, sweaty, which leads to vomiting. Apart from this, I find there's a short time frame between taking the medication and it working and/or not working and suffering for 3-4 hours in unbearable pain where I cannot sit still or find any relief. I sleep well when it works, however, I have noticed my RLS starts up again around 8:30 a.m. ish, and again I get no relief, and it's that bad that I cannot focus on anything else, and it's all-consuming. I'd love a fix for this. (To be confined next entry.)"

• Gdj...
• March 21, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Absolutely terrible! Have had RLS for years now, probably since I was 16. It has gotten worse this past year, so I asked my doctor to help. He put me on this medication at 1 mg and told me to take half a pill for 2 weeks. First night I took it 20 minutes after a meal. Not even 10 minutes later, I was tired but getting extremely nauseated. Ended up on the bathroom floor vomiting, cold sweats, shaking, and in and out of consciousness until I finally came to at 2 in the morning and was having heart palpitations with a pulse at 120. Went straight to the ER, and even their strongest nausea medication did not help. Both my fiancé and I missed work for 2 days because he had to take care of me. I felt like I was dying."

• Eca...
• October 11, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "This medication made me very, very ill. Nausea to the point of vomiting -- within a half hour of taking it -- completely congested sinuses, watery eyes, extreme sleepiness (had to nap for three hours), and an overall horrible flu-like malaise. It did stop my RLS; however, the side effects are not worth the horrendous illness I feel. I was to take 2 mg, 3X a day, when needed. Tried this therapy for a month or more. Cannot tolerate the illness. Going back to clonazepam, as needed. No side effects, except a little fatigue, but better that than this miserable, sickening feeling."

• Kat...
• November 13, 2016

For Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "I took my first 4-milligram ropinirole tablet last night at about 8 p.m. My stomach was about half and half, not full, not empty. About 45 minutes to an hour after, I started to experience severe what I thought were flu symptoms, and I had projectile vomiting until my stomach was empty. I felt fine after my stomach was empty, but I'm afraid to take another pill tonight. Does anybody have any ideas for terrible leg cramping, almost crippling effects?"

• KRL...
• January 7, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking ropinirole since April, and while it works well to relieve my RLS symptoms, it still makes me sick about 50% of the time. The first night I took the whole 1 mg pill and became violently ill. Cold sweats, nausea, vomiting. I then started cutting the pill in half, making sure I ate a piece of bread with it and waiting until at least 2 hours after I had taken my nightly (necessary) melatonin and sleep aid capsule. That seemed to work, but I soon found out it was hit or miss. I have been awakened several times now, sometimes within an hour, sometimes a full 5 or 6 hours after taking it, with shaking, sweating, and horrible nausea. So now I only take it when I am absolutely positive the RLS is going to be relentless."

• red...
• June 13, 2011

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have taken Requip for about 4 to 5 years now. I started on the dose pack and first leveled out at 1 mg. I found if I took 2 1 mg tablets, I would dry heave. It finally got where 1 mg wasn't doing enough, and so I started on the 2 mg XL, but due to absorption issues after gastric bypass, I didn't get the full effect. I am now taking 2 mg 2 - 3 times a day with surprisingly no side effects."