Ropinirole Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on March 23, 2020.

• Consumer
• Professional

In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of ropinirole include: syncope, dizziness, drowsiness, dyskinesia, fatigue, nausea, orthostatic hypotension, viral infection, decreased blood pressure, decreased pulse, and increased pulse. Other side effects include: asthenia, confusion, lower extremity edema, hallucination, hypotension, systolic hypertension, vertigo, and diaphoresis. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to ropinirole: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

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:

More common

• Confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• falling
• nausea
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• swelling of the legs
• twisting, twitching, or other unusual body movements
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• worsening of parkinsonism

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blood in the urine
• blurred vision
• burning, pain, or difficulty in urinating
• chest pain
• chills
• cold sweats
• cough
• double vision or other eye or vision problems
• fainting
• fear or nervousness
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• high or low blood pressure
• irregular or pounding heartbeat
• loss of memory
• mental depression
• pain
• pain in the arms or legs
• pounding in the ears
• rapid weight gain
• sensation of spinning
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sore throat
• sweating
• tightness in chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• tingling, numbness, or prickly feelings
• trouble in concentrating
• troubled breathing
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting

Rare

• Anxiety
• buzzing or ringing in the ears
• changes in vision
• fever
• headache
• joint pain
• loss of bladder control
• muscle cramps, pain, or spasms
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• trouble with swallowing
• unusual urges

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

Symptoms of overdose

• Agitation
• grogginess
• increase in unusual body movements, especially of the face or mouth
• increased coughing
• increased sweating
• lack or loss of strength
• nightmares

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

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:

Less common

• Abnormal dreams
• acid or sour stomach
• back pain
• belching
• decrease in sexual desire or performance
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• dryness of mouth
• flushing
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• heartburn or gas
• hot flashes
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• tremor
• weight loss
• yawning

For Healthcare Professionals

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

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]

Nervous system

Parkinson's disease

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]

Psychiatric

Parkinson's disease

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]

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]

General

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]

Respiratory

Parkinson's disease

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]

Ocular

Parkinson's disease:

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

Metabolic

Parkinson's disease

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

Genitourinary

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

Other

Parkinson's disease

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]

Musculoskeletal

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

Dermatologic

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

Hematologic

Parkinson's disease

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Parkinson's disease

Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase

Frequency not reported: Increased liver enzymes^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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