Side effects of ropinirole

These common side effects of ropinirole happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better.

If you still feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint, then sit up for a while until you feel better.

Do not drive, cycle, or operate machinery if you feel dizzy. Try to avoid alcohol as it may make you feel worse.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids and try to avoid alcohol.

Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired or weak.

Try to take ropinirole at a time when you can sit or lie down until you feel better.

If you're still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor.

It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

If you're in a lot of pain or your pain does not go away, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

It might help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, and to eat and drink slowly.

Talk to your doctor if the symptoms get worse.

Taking your ropinirole after a meal or a snack can help. Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

If you're being sick, have small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee.

If you keep feeling or being sick, tell your doctor or specialist nurse.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

This should improve as your body gets used to the medicine. If it does not, or the symptoms get worse, speak to your doctor or specialist nurse.

This is most likely if you're also taking medicines for Parkinson's disease that contain levodopa, such as co-careldopa or co-beneldopa.

Let your doctor or specialist nurse know as soon as possible. They may need to adjust your dose or medicine.

Keep taking the medicine, but talk to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.