Re: Ropinirole

[Hans van der Genugten <genugten@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tue, 2 Jun 1998 14:10:56 +0100 Dave Parcej <parcej@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi everyone,
I have been asked by a friend suffering from PD about Roprinirole, a
dopamine agonist. She takes it in addition to L-dopa. She has some bad
side-effects, in particular hallucinations. Has anyone else had this
experience? Are there other dopamine agonists which do not have such severe
side-effects?
Any information more than gratefully received!
Dave

AND:
Tue, 2 Jun 1998 08:48:02 -0700 J.R. Bruman <jrbruman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

All four of the popular agonists have adverse effects, but differently
on different patients. So one of the others might work for your friend-
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Pergolide     (Permax)
Pramipexole   (Mirapex)
Ropinirole    (Requip)
Several other drugs are sometimes helpful, although they are not
"direct" agonists like the ones above. Your friend's neurologist
is best qualified to decide what to try next. Cheers,
Joe

Hello Dave,

I agree with Joe, but I would like to add the folowing:

The hallucinations can also be caused by the L-dopa!
You don't write whether she takes less L-dopa since she uses
the ropinirole or uses the same amount.
By taking both the drugs the (side-)effects can be the same as if you
were taking a higher dose of L-dopa, which gives a greater chance of
hallucinations. The same goes for the other side-effects. The drugs can
influence eachother in a way that the side-effects of either drug become
stronger. I suggest your friend to consult the neurologist about gradually
taking less L-dopa because she needs less due to the ropinirole, so
hopefully the hallucinations will disappear again.
By the way: side-effects are most of the time stronger in the
starting-period of a med. After a while they often become less strong or
disappear.

All the best to your friend,   Hans.