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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by psychobot5000 on August 31, 2006, at 23:44:32
Hi,
Recently started a trial of Ropinirole, for depression, and have moved quickly to dosing at .5mg, 2-3 times per day. The sedation and drowsiness are bad enough to keep me from functioning very well, though.
Anyone out there with experiences on Ropinirole, or another dopamine agonist? I was wondering, to what extent does this fade as one gets used to the medication? Or does it just get worse as one raises the dose? I imagine this med will be pretty effective, but I can't operate like this.
Any information is much appreciated.
P-bot
Posted by yxibow on September 1, 2006, at 4:42:39
In reply to Ropinirole sedation--does it go away with time?, posted by psychobot5000 on August 31, 2006, at 23:44:32
> Hi,
>
> Recently started a trial of Ropinirole, for depression, and have moved quickly to dosing at .5mg, 2-3 times per day. The sedation and drowsiness are bad enough to keep me from functioning very well, though.
>
> Anyone out there with experiences on Ropinirole, or another dopamine agonist? I was wondering, to what extent does this fade as one gets used to the medication? Or does it just get worse as one raises the dose? I imagine this med will be pretty effective, but I can't operate like this.
>
> Any information is much appreciated.
> P-bot
Well the prescribing information, while not carrying a black box warning does carry a bold face warning that patients perceived that they had no warning of sudden somnolence or excessive drowsiness while operating machinery, etc. This is something your doctor should definately have communicated with you as informed consent as it notes that there is not enough information to determine that dose reduction will eliminate sudden sleep episodes and that it may take time to determine safety on the road.
This I'm sure you're aware of, but I thought I'd mention it, as it is in the prescribing information.As to the higher dosing, I cannot predict personally. Ropinrole is only labeled for Parkinsons and Parkinsons adjunct therapy with L-Dopa as well as RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome).
-- J
Posted by psychobot5000 on September 1, 2006, at 9:57:06
In reply to Re: Ropinirole sedation--does it go away with time » psychobot5000, posted by yxibow on September 1, 2006, at 4:42:39
Ah, yes, the black box warnings. Well, unfortunately, these warnings are typically there even when there's a -chance- of a given side-effect. Drug companies don't want to get sued over it.
It doesn't really give one a good idea of how much sedation is likely in this case, more importantly, whether it's likely to stick around or reduce substantially with time.
Thanks for the heads up!
Posted by kingcolon on September 5, 2006, at 23:05:12
In reply to Ropinirole sedation--does it go away with time?, posted by psychobot5000 on August 31, 2006, at 23:44:32
> Hi,
>
> Recently started a trial of Ropinirole, for depression, and have moved quickly to dosing at .5mg, 2-3 times per day. The sedation and drowsiness are bad enough to keep me from functioning very well, though.
>
> Anyone out there with experiences on Ropinirole, or another dopamine agonist? I was wondering, to what extent does this fade as one gets used to the medication? Or does it just get worse as one raises the dose? I imagine this med will be pretty effective, but I can't operate like this.
>
> Any information is much appreciated.
> P-botI've been on ropinirole for several months. Mild sedation at 1.5 mg a day, but didn't notice it was dose dependent. The sleep-attack cases seem to be mostly with Parkinson's patients and not RLS patients. Both conditions require higher doses than have been studied for depression. In any event, it is a potential risk. Fortunately, I've found it to be quite effective augmenting my antidepressants.
Posted by psychobot5000 on September 7, 2006, at 20:07:20
In reply to Re: Ropinirole sedation--does it go away with time, posted by kingcolon on September 5, 2006, at 23:05:12
Thanks for your experience!
This is the end of the thread.
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