Sleep Disorders Treatment Requip Medication as Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment By Brandon Peters, MD Brandon Peters, MD Facebook Twitter Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 05, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Rochelle Collins, DO Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO LinkedIn Rochelle Collins, DO, is a board-certified family medicine doctor currently practicing in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Uses Contraindications Side Effects Safety Precautions The prescription medication ropinirole — sold under the brand names of Requip and Requip XL — is a commonly prescribed drug used to treat restless legs syndrome. How does Requip work to treat restless legs by affecting dopamine and what are some of the most common side effects? LWA / Getty Images How It Works Requip is a medication that acts on the nervous system at the site of receptors for a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, called dopamine. Specifically, Requip acts to stimulate these receptors. Uses Requip is a dopamine receptor stimulant that can be helpful in treating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). You may be prescribed a standard or extended-release (XL) version of the medication. The difference is in how long it takes the body to metabolize the drug and subsequently how many times per day you would need to take it, but the effects are the same. Who Should Not Use It There are some situations where Requip should be used with caution. You may wish to speak with your healthcare provider if these things apply to you. For example, you should be cautious if you have severe heart disease, low blood pressure, or if your liver does not work normally. If you are using other medications that may depress the central nervous system, Requip may not be appropriate, so your healthcare provider should be aware of all the medications you are taking. If you have had changes in your smoking habits, if you have other sleep disorders, or if you are elderly, caution should also be observed. Side Effects There are many potential side effects of any drug. Although an individual likely won't experience most side effects associated with the drug — and may indeed not have any of them — some that commonly occur with Requip include: Nausea or vomitingSleepinessDizziness or lightheadednessLow blood pressure with standingVomitingUpset stomachMalaise or feeling unwellSwellingLoss or change of sensation including numbness or tinglingStomach painSweatingHallucinationsDry mouth and sore throatConstipation or diarrheaHigh blood pressureHeadacheChest painLoss of appetiteVision changesAbnormal movements With the use of any drug, there are also risks of serious side effects. These occur more rarely, but with the use of Requip may include: Sudden sleep episodesFainting spells (syncope)Severe low blood pressure or drops in blood pressure with standingSlow heart rate (bradycardia)HallucinationsAbnormal movementsMalignant melanoma (skin cancer)Compulsive behaviorsPleural effusion (collection of fluid by the lungs)Pleural fibrosis (scarring of the lungs)Heart valve abnormalities Safety Precautions As described above, certain people should use Requip with caution or not at all. You should avoid stopping it abruptly and the dose should be tapered off gradually instead. While you are taking the medication, you should have routine skin examinations and your blood pressure should be monitored carefully during any dose adjustments to prevent low blood pressure episodes. The safety of using Requip during pregnancy or breastfeeding is unknown. If you experience any difficulties, you should be in close contact with your primary healthcare provider or sleep specialist. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tossing and turning night over night can have a big impact on your quality of life. Our free guide can help you get the rest you need. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. "Requip." Epocrates Rx Pro. Version 3.4, 2010. Epocrates, Inc. San Mateo, California.