FAQs

While neither hair loss nor weight have been reported as side effects of ropinirole in clinical trials, dopamine agonists may increase the risk of developing compulsive behaviors such as binge eating, which may lead to weight gain. Reversible hair loss also was occasionally reported in patients receiving ropinirole treatment. Patients…

Based on data from clinical trials, ropinirole induces significant reductions in off time in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease as early as two weeks after starting treatment. However, because the initial recommended dose of ropinirole may not work for everyone, some patients may require dose adjustments before experiencing the full benefits…

Some people taking ropinirole may experience extreme drowsiness or unexpected episodes of falling asleep during daily activities. It is advised that patients starting this treatment avoid driving or engaging in potentially dangerous activities until they understand how the medication affects them. If these adverse events occur, it is recommended that…

Animal studies suggest ropinirole may be harmful to a developing fetus. However, its effects on pregnant patients are unknown due to a lack of clinical data, so it is unclear whether the therapy can be safely used in this population. It is recommended that patients consult their doctor if they…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved ropinirole immediate-release tablets more than a quarter century ago, in September 1997, to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. The extended-release formulation was approved in July 2008 for the same indication.

There have been some reports of weight gain in people receiving Duopa, possibly due to the therapy’s potential to cause impulse control disorders, including compulsive eating. Hair loss also may occur with Duopa, although much less frequently. Those who experience any unanticipated effects of treatment should discuss them with their…

In the trials that supported Duopa’s approval, participants began seeing improvements as soon as two weeks after starting on the therapy. These advanced Parkinson’s disease patients experienced a reduction in off periods and improvements in other measures that became significantly more pronounced than with control medications. However, as each person…

Some patients on Duopa have reported sleepiness and suddenly falling asleep without warning during daily activities. Individuals starting treatment with Duopa should not drive and should avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm until they know how the medication affects them. If patients experience increased sleepiness or…

While animal studies suggest Duopa may cause harm to a developing fetus, the therapy has not been well studied in pregnant women. Patients who become or intend to become pregnant should always talk to their healthcare providers about the potential risks and benefits of taking Duopa during pregnancy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Duopa in January 2015 for the treatment of motor fluctuations in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease. That FDA approval made Duopa the first treatment in the U.S. providing 16 continuous hours of carbidopa and levodopa for motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s…