Requip and Restless Legs Syndrome

If you have moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS), your healthcare provider may prescribe Requip. This drug was found to be effective in three randomized, controlled studies in adults diagnosed with moderate to severe RLS. Common side effects of Requip include nausea, headache, and vomiting.

An Introduction to Requip and Restless Legs Syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Requip® (ropinirole) to treat moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS). Requip was first approved for Parkinson's disease in 1997.
 

Clinical Studies on RLS and Requip

This drug was found to be effective for restless legs syndrome in three randomized, controlled studies in adults diagnosed with moderate to severe RLS. The RLS research studies included:
 
  • The International Restless Leg Syndrome Scale, which measured the effectiveness of the drug
 
  • A patient-rated scale that measured the severity of muscle movement and discomfort, sleep disturbance, mood, and overall effect on quality of life
 
  • The Clinical Global Impression-Global Improvement scale, which measured the improvement following treatment.
 
All three studies demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the treatment group receiving Requip and the group receiving placebo pills (pills containing no medicine).
 

What Are the Side Effects?

Common side effects of Requip that were reported in clinical trials include:
 
 
Requip has also been associated with sedating effects, syncope (fainting), and symptomatic hypotension (low blood pressure), particularly during initial treatment or dosing.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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