From the FDA Drug Label
Withdrawal Symptoms Symptoms including insomnia, apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sweating, and pain have been reported during taper or after discontinuation of dopamine agonists, including ropinirole.
Depression is listed as one of the possible withdrawal symptoms that may occur when tapering or discontinuing ropinirole. However, it is not explicitly stated that ropinirole can cause depression as a side effect during treatment.
- The FDA label does mention depression as a symptom, but in the context of withdrawal.
- There is no direct information that ropinirole can cause depression outside of the withdrawal context 1, 1, 1.
From the Research
Ropinirole is not typically associated with causing depression, and in some cases, it may even have antidepressant effects, as suggested by the most recent and highest quality study 2. The relationship between ropinirole and depression is complex, with some studies indicating that it may have antidepressant properties, particularly in patients with treatment-resistant depression or restless legs syndrome.
- The study published in 2019 2 found no significant difference in depressive symptoms between patients taking ropinirole and those taking a placebo, suggesting that ropinirole may not have a significant impact on depression.
- However, another study published in 2011 3 found that ropinirole improved depressive symptoms in patients with restless legs syndrome, indicating that it may have antidepressant effects in certain populations.
- It is essential to note that ropinirole affects dopamine receptors in the brain, which can influence mood regulation pathways, and patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders may be more susceptible to mood changes while taking this medication.
- If depression develops while taking ropinirole, the healthcare provider may adjust the dosage, switch to an alternative medication, or add treatments to address the depression, and patients should never stop taking ropinirole suddenly without medical supervision, as this can cause serious withdrawal symptoms.
- The risk of manic switching is low, as reported in a study published in 2018 4, which found that only one patient (4.3%) experienced induction of mania while taking ropinirole for bipolar disorder.
- Overall, the current evidence suggests that ropinirole is not typically associated with causing depression, and its effects on mood regulation are complex and may vary depending on the individual patient and the specific condition being treated.