Question about Requip

[ladybug]

Hi there, I just wanted to let you know that even though today is Sunday, my dr called me & talked to me about my RLS....I must have the best dr in the world!!!

New to the forum (previous post under "Very depressed") & just getting started on treatment.

I had a question about ropinirole (which I just picked up from the pharmacy) & that is it comes with directions to take 1 tablet (.25 mg) for the first 2 nights...then 2 at bedtime for 5 nites, then. ..4 at bedtime for 7 nites...I'm wondering if I should cut that in half. It seems that from other people's post, that I should cut the dosage in half to keep from augmenting (I need to go back & figure what that was again...so much info to digest). I want to start treatment right away but don't want to mess up my chances for a good outlook down the road. I will call my dr tomorrow but was wondering if I should cut it in half for tonight.

I am so happy to have some hope....

[mackjergens]

This info was copied/pasted from www.rlshelp.org. It contains info on the amount to start out on requip and the time to take doses.
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Hope this is helpful

Requip (Ropinirole)
This is a new Parkinson's medication which is a more specific dopamine agonist similar to Mirapex (binds to the D2 and D3 receptors). Requip is available in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg and 5 mg tablets. The starting dose should be 0.25 mg, which can be given if needed up to three times per day. The 0.25 mg dose can be increased by 0.25 mg each week for the first four week. Then the dose can be increased by 0.5 each week up to 3 mg three time per day (9 mg per day).

If necessary, the dose can then be increased by 1 mg per dose each week to a maximum of 8 mg three times per day (total of 24 mg per day), but doses greater than 6-9 mg per day rarely add additional benefit. RLS sufferers will generally need between .25 mg and 1.5 mg per day. Parkinson's disease patients generally need between 10-16 mg per day.

The antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxin) increases the blood levels of Requip. Requip is metabolized in the liver so may be a better choice for dialysis patients.

Side effects with Requip include nausea (can be prevented by taking the medication with food), dizziness, and sleepiness (similar to Mirapex above, but usually at higher doses than most RLS patients tend to need.).

[mackjergens]

you can always start out with 1/2 pill and then if you do not feel its helping you can always go ahead in a couple hrs and take the other half.

that is what I would do, but that is just me.

[ladybug]

Thanks...I am not able to sleep...have tried all the meditation tricks I know so I think I'll take the other half. It probably needs to build up in my body - I know I need to be patient but it drives me crazy!!!

[brownt]

I tried Requip for 2 yrs. Worked well at first with no side effects other than sleepiness within 1/2 hour of taking before bedtime. However, I augmented after 1 yr. and am experiencing extreme RLS symptoms throughout the day, which I never had before I started taking Requip. I am now on my 3rd off Requip and my symptoms are 4 times worse than before taking Requip. This should go away and return to normal RLS symptoms within a few weeks....provided permanent damage hasn't occurred from the augmentation. I tried Leva-Dopa and Mirapex prior to Requip and augmentatin also set in with these drugs.
I will no longer take this class of drugs as I am tired of the side effects such a augmentation. Just makes RLS unbearable.
I am now going to go on the merry go round of opiads and try to find one that works that will give me a good nights sleep. So far, I've only tried clonazapam...which isn't working. I guess it's back to the doctor to find a strong drug to knock me out at night so I can sleep.
This is a terrible condition in which we cycle with drug after drug. I really enjoy hearing what works and what doesn't work for different people.
Just keep trying until you find something that works. I would never recommend any Parkinson drug for RLS - only works temperarily and the augmentation just makes symptoms worse than ever.
Good luck in you journey.
Tracey

[ladybug]

Thanks for sharing your experience with me, Tracey. I decided not to continue with the requip. It was just so scary hearing everyone's experiences - most of them were very similar to yours. I think in the short term it would probably have helped but in the end I would end up regretting it....not something I want to deal with. Right now, I'm taking Atavan & Ambien at bedtime. It seems to help right now....I just up the atavan dose when I seem to be having a really bad night.

I've noticed that stress & anxiety makes my rls worse for me.

What I don't understand are the doctor's who immediately warn you about getting dependent upon the atavan &/or ambien. I've only been taking that combination for a few weeks .... I was so desperate for sleep at that time, I would have sold my soul!!

I really hope you find something that works for you too!!