What Is Ropinirole XL Used For?

A dopamine agonist medication, Ropinirole XL is mainly used for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. On occasion, healthcare providers may prescribe ropinirole XL for other uses. Ropinirole XL, for instance, is sometime used "off-label" to treat fibromyalgia and tremors not caused by Parkinson's disease. The prescription medication works by increasing a chemical in the brain called dopamine.

What Is Ropinirole XL Used For?

Ropinirole XL (Requip® XL) is a prescription medication approved to treat Parkinson's disease. It is an extended-release medication that is taken just once a day to help control the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
 
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from the loss of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. This creates a shortage of the brain-signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine, causing movement problems that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease. At this time, the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not known.
 
Although early symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be subtle, people will eventually develop a characteristic tremor (trembling or shaking) of a limb, especially when the body is at rest. As the disease progresses, existing symptoms may worsen and new symptoms may appear.
 
Depending on the severity of a person's symptoms, Parkinson's disease treatment can include:
 
Ropinirole XL can be used alone or in combination with other Parkinson's medications, and is approved to treat both early and advanced forms of the disease.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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