Getting Started
on REQUIP XL
Your doctor may prescribe REQUIP XL alone or add REQUIP XL to medicines you’re already taking for Parkinson's disease. Be sure to take your REQUIP XL exactly as directed by your doctor or healthcare provider.
Your REQUIP XL Tablet must be swallowed whole – do NOT chew, crush, or divide your tablet. If you miss a dose, do not double your dose.
REQUIP XL should be taken once a day, at the same or similar time each day, and can be taken with or without food. If you experience nausea, you may try taking REQUIP XL with food.
Adjusting to REQUIP XL
Your doctor will carefully adjust your dose of REQUIP XL after considering the severity of your Parkinson’s disease symptoms and any other medicines you may be taking.
The average dosing schedule for new patients is:
The recommended dosing for new patients is 2 mg taken once daily for 1 to 2 weeks. This is followed by increases of 2 mg/day at 1 week or longer periods as appropriate, up to a maximum recommended dose of 24 mg/day.
REQUIP XL as an adjunct therapy
Studies have shown REQUIP XL to be effective when added (adjunct therapy) to levodopa (L-dopa). L-dopa is another medicine used to reduce the more advanced-stage symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
When used as an adjunct therapy, REQUIP XL may actually help delay increasing the dosage level of L-dopa.
Prescription REQUIP XL is not for everyone. REQUIP XL may cause you to fall asleep or feel very sleepy during normal activities such as driving; or to faint or feel dizzy, nauseated, or sweaty when you stand up. Tell your doctor if you experience these or the following problems, or if you drink alcohol or are taking other medicines that make you drowsy. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness or sleepiness, headache, and sudden uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia). Increase or decrease in blood pressure and heart rate may occur. Hallucinations may occur at any time during treatment. Also tell your doctor if you experience new or increased gambling, sexual, or other intense urges while taking REQUIP XL. REQUIP XL may increase the side effects of L-dopa. Most patients were not bothered enough to stop taking REQUIP XL.