Requip ® XL 2 mg Prolonged-Release Tablets

REQUIP XL is used to treat Parkinson's disease. REQUIP XL belongs to a group of medicines called dopamine agonists. Dopamine agonists act in a similar way to the natural dopamine, so helping to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. You may receive REQUIP XL on its own, but it may also be given with another medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease (L-dopa) to make that medicine work better.

Do not take REQUIP XL:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ropinirole or any REQUIP XL ingredients listed above
• if you have previously taken REQUIP XL and became unwell, tell your doctor before taking these tablets
• if you become unwell while you are taking your tablets, tell a doctor at once
• if you have severe kidney disease.

Take special care with REQUIP XL:

Tell your doctor before you start taking REQUIP XL if you are under 18, if you have heart disease, if you have liver disease, if you have kidney disease, if you are intolerant to some sugars (e.g. lactose), if you have a serious mental health problem such as schizophrenia, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) or irrational ideas (delusions), or have had one in the past, if you have experienced any unusual urges and/or behaviours (such as excessive gambling or excessive sexual behaviour), tell your doctor before you start taking your tablets.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Follow the doctor's instructions about how and when you take your tablets. Your doctor will decide how many tablets you need to take each day and you should always follow his/ her instructions. When you first start taking REQUIP XL, the amount you take will be increased gradually. Your doctor may increase or decrease the amount that you are taking to give you the maximum benefit from the medicine. You will be told to take REQUIP XL once daily and at a similar time each day.

You must swallow the tablet whole with water. The tablets must not be chewed, crushed or broken. You can take REQUIP XL with or without food. If you are taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease, the doctor may decrease the dose of these medicines whilst you are taking REQUIP XL. You should continue to take your medicine even if you do not feel better, as it may take a number of weeks for your medicine to work. Please read the label carefully. If you have any questions about your medicine and how to take it, please ask the doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects with REQUIP XL include:

Frequent side effects:

• feeling drowsy
• feeling sick (nausea)
• fainting
• experiencing hallucinations
• dizziness (or spinning sensation)
• swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
• constipation
• a drop in blood pressure that may make you feel dizzy or faint especially when standing up from a sitting or lying position
• being sick (vomiting)
• dyspepsia (e.g. feeling full up and bloated, experiencing heartburn)
• stomach pain.

Less frequent side effects:

• other psychotic reactions in addition to hallucinations, such as severe confusion (delirium), irrational ideas (delusions) and irrational suspiciousness (paranoia)
• increased sexual desire
• Some patients taking REQUIP XL have shown urges to behave in a way unusual for them. Examples of this are an unusual urge to gamble or increased sexual urges and/or behaviours. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these changes in your behaviour. Your doctor may need to adjust or stop your dose.

Other side effects include:

• fall asleep suddenly without apparently feeling sleepy. If you feel extremely tired during the day or fall asleep suddenly without apparently feeling sleepy you should see your doctor
• allergic reactions such as red, itchy swellings on the skin (hives), swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, rash or intense itching.

Store at or below 25 °C. Store in original package. The expiry date of this medicine is printed on the label. Do not use the medicine after this date. Store all medicines out of the reach of children - preferably in a locked cupboard. Please return left-over medicine to the pharmacist.