Hello, I just wondered if anyone has changed from Ropinerole to another drug that also acts as dopamine agonist? My husband is on Sinemet 3 times daily and takes Ropinerole once a day. I’ve never been really happy with this drug but sometimes it’s better the devil you know with PD drugs, as all seem to come with a lovely array of side effects We’re seeing the consultant next month so will obviously be something we’ll be
discussing, but just wondered if anyone has found another drug to be better than Ropinerole. I realise of course that everyone is different and no two people have same PD symptoms. Hope for some feedback. Thanks. Jean
Hello Jean
I initially took Ropinerole after diagnosis.
This drug caused me to feel extremely tired. I kept having sleep attacks and falling asleep without warning. Felt rotten all the time.
I was on the drug for 2 months and then switched to Sinemet.
I have been a lot better on Sinemet.
For some people Ropinerole just doesn’t work and gives bad side effects.
I hope this helps.
Andrew
Good morning Andrew, and thank you for replies to both my queries. Re the double vision, he says it’s not all the time. He doesn’t drive any more so that’s a relief! I’ve been reading up on double vision in PD. We are speaking to our P D nurse on Thursday so this will be one of (the many) questions we’ll be asking. Re Ropinerole, yes, he does seem to be excessively tired with this drug. I’m sure it also affects his cognivity, but of course I can’t be sure the drug is to blame, so another important question for the PD nurse. He has always taken Sinemet from the day of diagnosis, 7 years ago. This has been increased over the years and he now takes two x 125/100 x 3 times daily. One Ropinerole 8mgs, once daily at 7am. I seem to recall the Ropinerole was added a few years ago instead of increasing his Sinemet due to the risk of dyskinesia with increasing the levadopa. Thanks again for taking time to reply, most helpful. Best wishes, Jean.
Hello, just another enquiry re Ropinerol (ipinniaXL) I’m wondering if it may be better to take this drug at bedtime. My husband has been taking it at 7am with his first Sinemet dose of the day. He’s always excessively tired throughout the day and I’m thinking the Ropinerole may be to blame. Does anyone reading this and who takes Ropinerole, take the med at bedtime? If so has it helped with the daytime sleepiness (and also helped them stay asleep at night!) He’s now on 8mgs of Ropinerole, after being on it for several years, commencing on 2mg. His initial and only other med was Sinemet which he still takes. Thanks, Jean
Hi Jean. I empathise with your concerns over hubby’s medication as mine has similar problems. He takes a 7am ropinerole 4mg. If he doesn’t get up and move around shortly after the 7am drugs, he falls into a deep sleep. During the day it’s the same. He is on madopar 100/25, 3hrly, so we are already on a hefty dose. They tried to increase the ropinerole instead of the madopar, but the side effects were dire… Just about all the bad ones listed. He has restless legs at night and is up a lot. I can see why your wondering if ropinerole at night would be better, but then he wouldn’t get the benefit of the boost during the day which is (supposed) to helping his mobility. Honestly, it’s hard to know which drugs do most good or harm. Though ropinerole definately was harmful for him. At the moment, dyskinesia is not a major issue. We are 7 years into treatment now. Like we know, everyone is different. The disease progresses, the meds sometimes get altered, half the time you don’t know where you are with it all. I will be interested to know if your nurse suggests a change of time. All the best to you and your hubby
Good evening Jandc, thank you for your reply and info. We’re seeing the consultant in March so I hope we get enough time to discuss this issue properly. I’ll keep you posted. Best wishes to you both. Goodnight. Jean