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Requip |
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What is Requip and why is it prescribed? Requip helps relieve the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Caused by a deficit of dopamine, this disorder is marked by progressive muscle stiffness, tremor, and fatigue. Requip works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, thus promoting better, easier movement. Requip can be taken with or without levodopa (usually prescribed as Sinemet), another drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Requip is not a cure for Parkinson's disease. However, it does alleviate symptoms of the disease, and it can shorten the "off" periods of immobility that patients on long-term levodopa therapy often begin to experience. How should you take Requip? Follow your doctors directions for taking Requip. Take 3 doses a day, with or without food. If the drug upsets your stomach, combining it with food may relieve the problem. If you are also taking levodopa, its dosage may be gradually decreased when you start therapy with Requip. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Requip at room temperature away from light. Are there any Requip side effects? Requip side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Requip side effects may include abdominal pain, abnormal dreaming, abnormal muscle movements, abnormal vision, amnesia, anxiety, arthritis, bronchitis, confusion, constipation, decreased muscle movements, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, eye problems, fainting, falling, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, increased sweating, indigestion, joint pain, leg swelling, nausea, nervousness, pain, paralysis, respiratory tract infection, runny nose, sinus inflammation, skin tingling, sore throat, swelling, tremor, urinary tract infection, viral infections, vomiting, and weakness. Less common Requip side effects may include back pain, blood in the urine, chills, cough, decreased heart rate, depression, difficulty swallowing, dry eyes, falling asleep during daily activities, gas, gout, gum inflammation, high blood sugar, hot flashes, increased salivation, insomnia, leg cramps, low blood pressure, muscle aches, muscle spasms, muscle tone problems, nerve pain, rash, weight loss, and worsening of Parkinson's disease symptoms. Rare Requip side effects may include abnormal coordination, acid indigestion, agitation, aggressive reaction, altered heart rate, asthma, boils, chest pain, conjunctivitis, convulsions, dandruff, decreased hearing, delirium, delusions, dementia, diabetes, disorders of the penis, earache, ear infection, eye inflammation, eye pain, enlarged abdomen, enlarged breasts, feeling of well-being, fever, flu-like symptoms, fungal infections, genital infections, hair loss, heart failure, hemorrhoids, herpes infections, hiccups, high cholesterol levels, hives, impaired concentration, increased or decreased sex drive, increased thirst, laryngitis, low blood sugar, loss of bowel control, loss of menstruation, loss of understanding, migraine, nosebleeds, osteoporosis, paranoid reaction, personality disorder, prostate disorder, psoriasis, purple skin patches, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light, skin discoloration, skin itching, skin ulcers, stomach ulcers, thyroid problems, tongue swelling, toothache, twitching, urinary disorders, vaginal bleeding, varicose veins, vein inflammation, and weight gain. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Requip? If Requip is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Requip with Alcohol, Antidepressants (such as Elavil, Pamelor, and Tofranil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Drugs that contain levodopa (such as Dopar, Larodopa, and Sinemet), Estrogen medications (such as ethinyl estradiol/Estinyl), Major tranquilizers (such as Haldol, Mellaril, Navane, Prolixin, and Thorazine), Metoclopramide (Reglan), or Tranquilizers (such as the benzodiazepines Ativan, Librium, Valium, and Xanax). Are there any special warnings about Requip? At the start of Requip therapy and whenever the dose is increased, you face a slightly increased risk of a fainting spell or other symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, and light-headedness, particularly when you get up suddenly after sitting or reclining for a prolonged period. To avoid such symptoms, be careful to stand up slowly. A few patients, especially older ones, also develop hallucinations. Let your doctor know if this occurs. You may have to stop Requip therapy. Use Requip with caution if you have heart disease. There is also a slight chance of developing respiratory difficulties or problems with your eyesight. If you find it hard to breathe, have any swelling, or develop problems with your vision, alert your doctor at once. If you are taking Sinemet with Requip, you may experience jerking muscle movements. Tell your doctor. He will need to decrease your dose of Sinemet. With other Parkinson's medications, a sudden dose reduction has been known to cause high fever, muscle stiffness, and loss of consciousness. Although this has not happened with Requip, be alert for such problems and contact your doctor immediately if they occur. Requip may cause drowsiness, and some people have reported falling asleep without warning during their daily activities. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you. If you find that Requip makes you sleepy or that you're suddenly falling asleep in the middle of routine activities, tell your doctor; he will probably discontinue the drug. Requip may also cause darkening of your skin and eye color. Tell your doctor if you notice any change. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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