Requip XL (Ropinirole Extended Release Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Requip XL

Sleep Disorder Drugs »

Sleep disorder drugs (hypnotic and sedative drugs) overview

Insomnia, a disorder of sleep, occurs occasionally in most people but usually lasts only a few days. The body then "corrects" itself naturally, and people return to a normal pattern of sleep. Insomnia may be short-term (less than three weeks) or chronic, lasting longer than three weeks. Contributing factors include, but are not limited to, poor sleeping habits, stress, jet lag, medications, disease, and depression. Chronic insomnia may warrant the use of sedative/hypnotics medications; however, it is important that the treating physician perform a complete diagnostic evaluation as well as take medication and substance abuse histories, to exclude secondary insomnia due to other conditions.

Hypnotics/sedatives medications (henceforth referred to as hypnotics) work, in general, by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain. Neuro...

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Requip XL User Reviews >>

Requip XL

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REQUIP XL
(ropinirole) Tablet, Extended Release for Oral Use

DRUG DESCRIPTION

REQUIP (ropinirole) is an orally administered non-ergoline dopamine agonist. It is supplied as the hydrochloride salt of ropinirole 4-[2-(dipropylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one and has an empirical formula of C₁₆H₂₄N₂O•HCl. The molecular weight is 296.84 (260.38 as the free base).

The structural formula is:

REQUIP XL
(ropinirole) Structural Formula Illustration

Ropinirole hydrochloride is a white to yellow solid with a melting range of 243° to 250°C and a solubility of 133 mg/mL in water. REQUIP XL (ropinirole extended release tablets) Extended-Release Tablets are formulated as a three-layered tablet with a central, active-containing, slow-release layer, and 2 placebo outer layers acting as barrier layers which control the surface area available for drug release. Each biconvex, capsule-shaped tablet contains 2.28 mg, 4.56 mg, 6.84 mg, 9.12 mg, or 13.68 mg ropinirole hydrochloride equivalent to ropinirole 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg, or 12 mg, respectively. Inactive ingredients consist of carboxymethylcellulose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, glyceryl behenate, hydrogenated castor oil, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, mannitol, povidone, and one or more of the following: FD&C Yellow No. 6 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No. 2 aluminum lake, ferric oxides (black, red, yellow), polyethylene glycol 400, titanium dioxide.

What are the possible side effects of ropinirole (Requip, Requip XL)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling like you might pass out;
fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats (especially if you stop taking ropinirole or use a lower dose);
hallucinations;
tremors (uncontrolled shaking); or
tight feeling in your...

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What are the precautions when taking ropinirole extended release tablets (Requip XL)?

Before taking ropinirole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, low blood pressure, sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy), mental/mood disorder, liver problems.

Some people taking ropinirole have reported falling asleep suddenly during usual daily activities (such as talking on the phone, driving). In some cases, sleep occurred without feelings of drowsiness beforehand. This effect may occur at any time during treatment, including up to 1 year after...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 4/30/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.