From the FDA Drug Label
2.2 Dosing for Parkinson's Disease The recommended starting dose of ropinirole tablets for Parkinson’s disease is 0.25 mg 3 times daily. 2.3 Dosing for Restless Legs Syndrome The recommended adult starting dose for RLS is 0.25 mg once daily 1 to 3 hours before bedtime.
The starting dose of Requip (ropinirole) is 0.25 mg.
- For Parkinson's disease, the dose is 0.25 mg 3 times daily.
- For Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), the dose is 0.25 mg once daily 1 to 3 hours before bedtime 1.
From the Research
The starting dose of Requip (ropinirole) is typically 0.25 mg taken three times daily. This low initial dose is intentionally conservative to minimize side effects like nausea, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension that commonly occur when beginning dopamine agonist therapy 2. The dose is usually gradually increased over several weeks based on the patient's response and tolerance. For Parkinson's disease, the dose may eventually reach 1 mg three times daily after week 4, with further adjustments as needed up to a maximum of 24 mg per day. For Restless Legs Syndrome, the titration schedule differs, with a typical maintenance dose between 0.25-4 mg once daily taken 1-3 hours before bedtime 3.
Some key points to consider when initiating Requip therapy include:
- Starting with a low dose to minimize side effects
- Gradually increasing the dose based on patient response and tolerance
- Monitoring for impulse control disorders, sudden sleep episodes, and hypotension, especially during the initial titration period
- Taking Requip with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects
- Considering slower titration schedules for elderly patients due to age-related changes in drug metabolism 4.
It's also important to note that Requip has been compared to other dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole, and has been shown to be effective in improving symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome 5. However, the choice of medication and dosing schedule should be individualized based on patient needs and response to therapy.