Ropinirole Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 25, 2025.

Applies to ropinirole: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not Stop taking ropinirole without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause fever, confusion, or severe muscle stiffness.

People taking ropinirole have reported falling asleep without warning during activities of daily living, including driving, which sometimes resulted in accidents. This may happen as late as one year after taking the medicine. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system (CNS). This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of medicines that affect the CNS are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.

Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, or severe muscle stiffness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin taking this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Getting up slowly may help. If you should have this problem, check with your doctor.

Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) may occur in some patients. This is more common with elderly patients. If you have hallucinations, check with your doctor.

Smoking may decrease the treatment effects of this medicine. It is best to avoid smoking while you are using it. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

This medicine may increase your risk for skin cancer, including melanoma. It is important that your doctor check your skin regularly if you have Parkinson's disease. Check your doctor right away if you have a new mole, change in size, shape, or color of existing mole, or mole that leaks fluid or bleeds.

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior, including an urge to gamble, spend money, binge eat, or an increased sex drive. Talk with your doctor if this is a concern for you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of ropinirole

Along with its needed effects, ropinirole may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ropinirole:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking ropinirole:

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• chest pain
• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from lying or sitting position
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• grogginess
• increase in unusual body movements, especially of the face or mouth
• increased coughing
• increased sweating
• lack or loss of strength
• nightmares
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• vomiting

Other side effects of ropinirole

Some side effects of ropinirole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ropinirole: oral kit, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reaction reported in patients with early Parkinson's disease included nausea, somnolence, dizziness, syncope, asthenic conditions, viral infection, leg edema, vomiting, and dyspepsia. Among patients with advance Parkinson's disease, the more commonly reported adverse reactions included dyskinesia, somnolence, nausea, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, sweating, and headache.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients with restless legs syndrome included nausea, vomiting, somnolence, dizziness, and a asthenic condition.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (40%), somnolence (40%), dyskinesia (34%), headache (17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkinesia, hypesthesia, hypokinesia, paresis, paresthesia, tremor
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sudden onset of sleep, excessive daytime somnolence

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 22.3%), somnolence (12%), dizziness (up to 12.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, migraine, paradoxical augmentation and rebound of restless leg syndrome^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Hallucination (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Amnesia, impaired concentration, confusion, amnesia, anxiety, abnormal dreaming, nervousness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Psychotic reactions other than hallucinations, included delirium, delusions, paranoia
• Frequency not reported: Aggression
• Postmarketing reports: Impulse control disorders included pathological gambling and hypersexuality and increased libido

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness
• Postmarketing reports: Impulse control disorders included pathological gambling and hypersexuality and increased libido^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Cardiovascular

Parkinson's disease:

• Very common (10% or more): Syncope (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, orthostatic symptoms, chest pain, dependent edema, leg edema, flushing, extrasystoles, atrial fibrillation, palpitation, tachycardia, peripheral ischemia

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Common (1% to 10%): Syncope
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Orthostatic hypotension, peripheral edema
• Frequency not reported: Hypotension^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, viral infection^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Parkinson's disease:

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 60%), vomiting (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, abdominal pain, anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, dysphagia, increased saliva, heartburn

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 40%), vomiting (up to 12.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia, dry mouth, abdominal pain upper
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Yawning, upper respiratory tract infection, dyspnea, bronchitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (10.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, cough, nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinusitis^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Ocular

Parkinson's disease:

• Common (1% to 10%): Eye abnormality, abnormal vision, xerophthalmia, diplopia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Impotence, urinary tract infection, pyuria, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenic condition (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pain, vertigo

Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (10.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenic condition, vertigo
• Postmarketing reports:^[Ref]

Asthenic conditions include asthenia, fatigue, and/or malaise^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, arthritis, extremity pain, back pain, injury, myalgia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased sweating^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase
• Frequency not reported: Increased liver enzymes^[Ref]

Parkinson's disease

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions including urticarial, angioedema, rash, pruritus^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Ropinirole side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer