4.1. Therapeutic indications

Treatment of Parkinson's disease under the following conditions:

• Initial treatment as monotherapy, in order to delay the introduction of levodopa

• In combination with levodopa, over the course of the disease, when the effect of levodopa wears off or becomes inconsistent and fluctuations in the therapeutic effect occur (“end of dose” or “on-off” type fluctuations).

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Oral use.

Individual dose titration against efficacy and tolerability is recommended. Ropinirole prolonged-release tablets should be taken once a day and at a similar time each day. The tablets must be swallowed whole and must not be chewed, crushed or divided.

The tablets may be taken with or without food. A high fat meal may double the AUC and Cmax in some individuals (see section 5.2).

Adults

Initial titration

The starting dose of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets is 2 mg once daily for the first week; this should be increased to 4 mg once daily from the second week of treatment. A therapeutic response may be seen at a dose of 4 mg once daily of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets.

Patients who initiate treatment with a dose of 2 mg/day of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets and who experience side effects that they cannot tolerate, may benefit from switching to treatment with ropinirole film-coated (immediate release) tablets at a lower daily dose, divided into three equal doses.

Therapeutic regimen

Patients should be maintained on the lowest dose of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets that achieves symptomatic control.

If sufficient symptomatic control is not achieved or maintained at a dose of 4 mg once daily of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets, the daily dose may be increased by 2 mg at weekly or longer intervals up to a dose of 8 mg once daily of prolonged-release tablets.

If sufficient symptomatic control is still not achieved or maintained at a dose of 8 mg once daily of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets, the daily dose may be increased by 2 mg to 4 mg at two weekly or longer intervals. The maximum daily dose of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets is 24 mg.

It is recommended that patients are prescribed the minimum number of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets that are necessary to achieve the required dose by utilising the highest available strengths of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets.

When ropinirole prolonged-release tablets are administered as adjunct therapy to levodopa, it may be possible to gradually reduce the levodopa dose, depending on the clinical response. In clinical trials, the levodopa dose was reduced gradually by approximately 30% in patients receiving ropinirole prolonged-release tablets concurrently. In patients with advanced Parkinson's disease receiving ropinirole prolonged-release tablets in combination with L-dopa, dyskinesias can occur during the initial titration of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets. In clinical trials it was shown that a reduction of the L-dopa dose may ameliorate dyskinesia (see also section 4.8).

When switching treatment from another dopamine agonist to ropinirole, the marketing authorisation holder's guidance on discontinuation should be followed before initiating ropinirole.

As with other dopamine agonists, it is necessary to discontinue ropinirole treatment gradually by reducing the daily dose over the period of one week (see section 4.4).

Switching from ropinirole immediate release tablets to ropinirole prolonged-release tablets

Patients may be switched overnight from ropinirole immediate release tablets to ropinirole prolonged-release tablets.

The dose of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets should be based on the total daily dose of immediate release formulation that the patient was receiving. The recommended dose for switching from ropinirole immediate release tablets to ropinirole prolonged-release tablets are provided in the following table. If patients are taking a different total daily dose of ropinirole immediate release tablets to those typically prescribed doses as shown in the table, they should be switched to the nearest available dose of ropinirole prolonged-release tablets as stated in the table:

Ropinirole immediate release tablets (Requip)

Total daily dose (mg)

Ropinirole prolonged-release tablets (Requip XL)

Total daily dose (mg)

0.75 – 2.25

2

3 - 4.5

4

6

6

7.5 - 9

8

12

12

15 - 18

16

21

20

24

24

After switching to Requip XL prolonged-release tablets, the dose may be adjusted depending on the therapeutic response (see “Initial titration” and “Therapeutic regimen” above).

Dose interruption or discontinuation

If treatment is interrupted for one day or more, re-initiation by dose titration on ropinirole immediate release tablets should be considered.

If it is necessary to discontinue ropinirole treatment, this should be done gradually by reducing the daily dose over the period of one week.

Renal impairment

In parkinsonian patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance between 30 and 50 ml/min) no change in the clearance of ropinirole was observed, indicating that no dosage adjustment is necessary in this population.

A study into the use of ropinirole in patients with end stage renal disease (patients on haemodialysis) has shown that a dose adjustment in these patients is required as follows:

The recommended initial dose of ReQuip XL is 2 mg once daily. Further dose escalations should be based on tolerability and efficacy. The recommended maximum dose is 18 mg/day in patients receiving regular dialysis. Supplemental doses after dialysis are not required.

The use of ropinirole in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min) without regular haemodialysis has not been studied.

Hepatic impairment

The use of ropinirole in patients with hepatic impairment has not been studied. Administration of ropinirole to such patients is not recommended.

Elderly

The clearance of ropinirole is decreased by approximately 15% in patients aged 65 years or above. Although a dose adjustment is not required, ropinirole dose should be individually titrated, with careful monitoring of tolerability, to the optimal clinical response. In patients aged 75 years and above, slower titration during treatment initiation may be considered.

Children and adolescents

Ropinirole prolonged-release tablets are not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to ropinirole or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min) without regular haemodialysis.

Hepatic impairment.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Hypotension

Due to the risk of hypotension, blood pressure monitoring is recommended, particularly at the start of treatment, in patients with severe cardiovascular disease (in particular coronary insufficiency).

Psychiatric or psychotic disorders

Patients with a history or presence of major psychotic disorders should only be treated with dopamine agonists if the potential benefits outweigh the risks (see also section 4.5).

Impulse control disorders

Patients should be regularly monitored for the development of impulse control disorders. Patients and carers should be made aware that behavioural symptoms of impulse control disorders including pathological gambling, increased libido, hypersexuality, aggressive behaviours, compulsive spending or buying, binge eating and compulsive eating can occur in patients treated with dopamine agonists including ReQuip XL. Dose reduction/tapered discontinuation should be considered if such symptoms develop. Impulse control disorders were reported especially at high doses and were generally reversible upon reduction of the dose or treatment discontinuation. Risk factors such as a history of compulsive behaviours were present in some cases (see section 4.8).

Mania

Patients should be regularly monitored for the development of mania. Patients and carers should be made aware that symptoms of mania can occur with or without the symptoms of impulse control disorders in patients treated with ReQuip XL. Dose reduction/tapered discontinuation should be considered if such symptoms develop.

Somnolence and episodes of sudden sleep onset

Ropinirole has been associated with somnolence and episodes of sudden sleep onset, particularly in patients with Parkinson's disease. Sudden onset of sleep during daily activities, in some cases without awareness or warning signs, has been reported (see section 4.8). Patients must be informed of this and advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machines during treatment with ropinirole. Patients who have experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. Furthermore, a reduction of dosage or termination of therapy may be considered.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Symptoms suggestive of neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been reported with abrupt withdrawal of dopaminergic therapy. Therefore, it is recommended to taper treatment (see section 4.2).

Rapid gastrointestinal transit

ReQuip XL tablets are designed to release medication over a 24-hour period. If rapid gastrointestinal transit occurs, there may be risk of incomplete release of medication, and of medication residue being passed in the stool.

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS)

DAWS has been reported with dopamine agonists, including ropinirole (see section 4.8). To discontinue treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease, ropinirole should be tapered off (see section 4.2). Limited data suggests that patients with impulse control disorders and those receiving high daily dose and/or high cumulative doses of dopamine agonists may be at higher risk for developing DAWS. Withdrawal symptoms may include apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sweating and pain and do not respond to levodopa. Prior to tapering off and discontinuing ropinirole, patients should be informed about potential withdrawal symptoms. Patients should be closely monitored during tapering and discontinuation. In case of severe and/or persistent withdrawal symptoms, temporary re-administration of ropinirole at the lowest effective dose may be considered.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are known as a side effect of treatment with dopamine agonists and levodopa. Patients should be informed that hallucinations can occur.

Excipients

Lactose

This medicinal product also contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Sunset yellow colouring agent The 4 mg tablets contain the azo colouring agent sunset yellow (E110), which may cause allergic reactions.

Sodium Each Requip XL prolonged-release tablet contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

There is no pharmacokinetic interaction between ropinirole and L-dopa or domperidone which would necessitate dosage adjustment of these drugs. Neuroleptics and other centrally active dopamine antagonists, such as sulpiride or metoclopramide, may diminish the effectiveness of ropinirole and therefore, concomitant use of these medicinal products should be avoided.

Ropinirole is principally metabolised by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP1A2. A pharmacokinetic study (with a ropinirole film-coated (immediate-release) tablet dose of 2 mg, three times a day) in Parkinson's disease patients, revealed that ciprofloxacin increased the Cmax and AUC of ropinirole by 60% an 84% respectively, with a potential risk of adverse events. Hence, in patients already receiving ropinirole, the dose of ropinirole may need to be adjusted when medicinal products know to inhibit CYP1A2, e.g. ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, cimetidine or fluvoxamine, are introduced or withdrawn.

A pharmacokinetic interaction study in patients with Parkinson's disease between ropinirole (with a ropinirole film-coated (immediate-release) tablet dose of 2 mg, three times a day) and theophylline, a substrate of CYP1A2, revealed no change in the pharmacokinetics of either ropinirole or theophylline.

Increased plasma concentrations of ropinirole have been observed in patients treated with high doses of oestrogens. In patients already receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), ropinirole treatment may be initiated in the normal manner. However, if HRT is stopped or introduced during treatment with ropinirole, dosage adjustment may be required.

Smoking is known to induce CYP1A2 metabolism, therefore if patients stop or start smoking during treatment with ropinirole, adjustment of dose may be required.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data from the use of ropinirole in pregnant women. Ropinirole concentrations may gradually increase during pregnancy (see section 5.2).

Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). As the potential risk for humans is unknown, it is recommended that ropinirole is not used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the patient outweighs the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

Ropinirole-related material was shown to transfer into the milk of lactating rats. It is unknown whether ropinirole and its metabolites are excreted in human milk. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded.

Ropinirole should not be used in nursing mothers as it may inhibit lactation.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of ropinirole on human fertility. In female fertility studies in rats, effects were seen on implantation but no effects were seen on male fertility (see section 5.3).

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Ropinirole may have a major effect on the ability to drive and use machines.

Patients being treated with ropinirole and presenting with hallucinations, somnolence and/or sudden sleep episodes must be informed to refrain from driving or engaging in activities where impaired alertness may put themselves or others at risk of serious injury or death (e.g. operating machines) until such recurrent episodes and somnolence have resolved (see also section 4.4).

4.8. Undesirable effects

Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100, <1/10), uncommon (>1/ ,000, <1/100), rare (>1/10 000, <1/1 000) very rare (<1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

During clinical trials, the most commonly reported undesirable effects for ropinirole prolonged-release tablets were during monotherapy and dyskinesia during adjunctive therapy with levodopa.

The following adverse events were reported during clinical trials with ReQuip XL up to 24 mg/day.

In monotherapy

In adjunct therapy

Psychiatric disorders

Common

Hallucinations

Hallucinations

Nervous system disorders

Very common

Somnolence

Dyskinesia

In patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias can occur during the initial titration of ropinirole. In clinical trials it was shown that a reduction of the levodopa dose may ameliorate dyskinesia (see section 4.2).

Common

Dizziness (including vertigo), sudden onset of sleep

Somnolence, dizziness (including vertigo), sudden onset of sleep

Vascular disorders

Common

Postural hypotension, hypotension

Uncommon

Postural hypotension, hypotension

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common

Nausea

Common

Constipation

Nausea, constipation

General disorders and administrative site conditions

Common

Oedema peripheral

Oedema peripheral

In addition to the above adverse drug reactions, the following events have been reported with ReQuip film-coated (immediate-release) tablets in patients during clinical trials (at doses up to 24 mg/day) and/or post-marketing reports.

In monotherapy

In adjunct therapy

Immune system disorders

Not known

Hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, angioedema, rash, pruritus).

Psychiatric disorders

Common

Confusion

Uncommon

Psychotic reactions (other than hallucinations) including delirium, delusion, paranoia.

Psychotic reactions (other than hallucinations) including delirium, delusion, paranoia.

Not known

Aggression*

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome

* Aggression has been associated with psychotic reactions as well as compulsive symptoms

Not known

Impulse control disorders: pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating, hypersexuality, aggression, and increased libido, have been reported in post marketing reports (see section 4.4).

Mania (see section 4.4)

Nervous system disorders

Very common

Syncope

Somnolence

Uncommon

Sudden onset of sleep, excessive daytime somnolence

Sudden onset of sleep, excessive daytime somnolence

Ropinirole is associated with somnolence and has been associated uncommonly with excessive daytime somnolence and sudden sleep onset episodes.

Vascular disorders

Uncommon

Postural hypotension or hypotension is rarely severe

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon

Hiccups

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common

Nausea

Common

Vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain

Heartburn

Hepatobiliary disorders

Not known

Hepatic reactions, mainly increased liver enzymes

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Not known

Spontaneous penile erection

General disorders and administrative site conditions

Common

Leg oedema

Not known

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (including apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sweating and pain)

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome

Non-motor adverse effects may occur when tapering or discontinuing dopamine agonists including ropinirole (see section 4.4).

Impulse control disorders

Pathological gambling, increased libido, hypersexuality, compulsive spending or buying, binge eating and compulsive eating can occur in patients treated with dopamine agonists including ReQuip XL. (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

The symptoms of ropinirole overdose are generally related to its dopaminergic activity. These symptoms may be alleviated by appropriate treatment with dopamine antagonists such as neuroleptics or metoclopramide.