Abstract
SUMMARY Ropinirole, a nonergoline dopamine agonist, has been used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for more than 10 years. Owing to its moderate elimination half-life, the immediate-release formulation is administered three-times daily. Now, a prolonged-release form is also available, and despite administration in the morning, plasma level fluctuations are reduced over 24 h versus the immediate-release formulation, allowing for symptomatic treatment for the entire day with once-daily dosing. The prolonged-release formulation can be up-titrated more rapidly and simply, reaching clinical efficacy as early as the second week of therapy. In clinical studies, higher doses of ropinirole were achieved with the prolonged-release formulation compared with the immediate-release formulation. The results of a randomized, double-blind, head-to-head study of both formulations in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease demonstrated significantly greater efficacy and a larger levodopa dose reduction for the prolonged-release formulation. A positive effect on night-time motor symptoms and quality of sleep has been established. Due to once-daily administration, compliance and adherence may also be improved.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
