Drug Database
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ropinirole (Requip CR / ropinirole 24hr / Requip LP)

✓ Approved

SkyePharma PLC · DRD2 · Small Molecule

What is ropinirole?

ropinirole is a small molecule developed by SkyePharma PLC. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesRequip CR, ropinirole 24hr, Requip LP
CompanySkyePharma PLC
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetDRD2, DRD3
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, SkyePharma PLC

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ropinirole acts on 2 molecular targets:

DRD2dopamine receptor D2 (D2DR, D2R)
DRD3dopamine receptor D3 (D3DR, FET1)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

ropinirole is developed for 2 unique indications across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Nervous system disordersParkinson's disease✓ Approved
Nervous system disordersRestless legs syndromePhase II

Related Research Articles

PubMedClinical neuropharmacology2026-07-01

Pre-Existing Peak-Dose Dyskinesia and Light Body Weight as Predictors of Ropinirole Patch Dose Modification in Parkinson Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Tohge Rie R, Kaneko Satoshi S, Kouda Katsuyasu K, Oki Mitsuaki M et al.

A ropinirole patch provides continuous dopaminergic stimulation, permitting its increasing use in clinical practice. Inappropriate dose conversion after switching from other dopamine agonists may cause insufficient efficacy or dose-limiting adverse effects. Moreover, factors influencing dose modification remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to identify factors associated with the need for dose modification in patients with Parkinson disease who switched from another dopamine agonist to a ropinirole patch. In this multicenter, retrospective study, dose trajectories over 3 months were categorized as dose reduction, maintenance, or escalation. Clinical characteristics associated with dose changes were assessed using univariate analyses, followed by ordinal logistic regression to identify independent predictors. Correlations among candidate variables were examined for potential dependency. Of the 110 patients screened, 95 were analyzed. Twenty-two patients required dose reduction or discontinuation, primarily because of dyskinesia, hallucinations, or somnolence, whereas 19 required dose escalation because of insufficient efficacy. Univariate analysis identified female sex, lower body weight, and pre-existing peak-dose dyskinesia as significant factors. In multivariate analysis, lower body weight [odds ratio (OR)=1.04; 95% CI=1.00-1.09] and pre-existing peak-dose dyskinesia (OR=0.38; 95% CI=0.15-0.94) independently predicted dose modification. Model comparisons suggested potential dependency between body weight and female sex. Pre-existing peak-dose dyskinesia and lower body weight independently influence the need for ropinirole patch dose modification after switching. Individualized dose titration is recommended, particularly in light-weight patients or those with dyskinesia, and prospective studies are warranted to refine dose conversion strategies.

PMID 42384110
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PubMedInternational journal of biological macromolecules2026-06-30

Quality by design-based development of transferrin-functionalized nanostructured lipid carriers for targeted Co-delivery of ropinirole and mangiferin for improved drug-delivery to the brain.

Adil Mohammad M, Jiba Umme U, Zaidi Syed Amir Azam SAA, Iqbal M D Azhar MDA et al.

Ischemic stroke (IS) persists as a major contributor of mortality and functional impairment globally, because of limited conventional drug delivery system and restrictive properties of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In recent years, Ligand-conjugated nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have emerged as effective techniques to improve brain-targeted therapy through multimodal approach. In this context, the present study proposes an innovative nanotechnology based Transferrin (Tf)-conjugated Nanostructured Lipid carrier (NLC) co-loaded Ropinirole (RP), and Mangiferin (MF) to facilitate targeted and effective delivery across the BBB. The characterization of developed Transferrin-conjugated Ropinirole-Mangiferin-Nanostructured Lipid carrier (Tf-RP-MF-NLC) demonstrated a mean particle size of 163.9 ± 2.97 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.31 ± 0.04, zeta potential of -8.589 ± 3.63 mV and spherical morphology as shown by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Analysis. The entrapment efficiency (EE) of RP and MF was found to be >85%, while Tf conjugation efficiency was estimated to be >60%. The % cumulative drug release was found to be >80% for RP and > 65% for MF over 24 h from Tf-RP-MF-NLC. The antioxidant effect and biocompatibility of the Tf-RP-MF-NLC were confirmed by the DPPH assay and haemolysis testing, respectively. Furthermore, results obtained from gamma scintigraphy study revealed that Tf-RP-MF-NLC had enhanced brain targeting and increased drug accumulation as compared to RP-MF-NLC following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration. Overall, these findings highlights Tf-RP-MF-NLC as a promising brain targeted nanocarrier system with improved drug delivery, suggesting its potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for improved drug delivery to the brain.

PMID 42372883
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PubMedRegenerative therapy2026-06-26

Therapeutic frontiers in ALS: iPSC-based drug discovery, cell therapy, and gene therapy-Advances through 2026.

Morimoto Satoru S, Kato Chris C, Takahashi Shinichi S, Okano Hideyuki H

Three converging therapeutic paradigms-iPSC-based drug discovery, cell transplantation, and gene therapy-have substantially expanded the therapeutic pipeline for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) between 2020 and 2026. The FDA's accelerated approval of tofersen (Qalsody) in April 2023 marked the first treatment targeting a genetic cause of ALS. iPSC-derived drug candidates, including ropinirole and bosutinib, have completed early-phase clinical trials led by Japanese institutions. Cell therapies targeting neuroinflammation through regulatory T cells are being actively explored as immunomodulatory strategies, although efficacy remains to be established in adequately powered trials. Next-generation gene-silencing approaches-including RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics and AAV-delivered microRNA-entered first-in-human trials in 2024-2025. The identification of STMN2 as a downstream target of TDP-43 dysfunction has opened a potential TDP-43-downstream nucleic acid therapeutic avenue for sporadic ALS, which constitutes approximately 90% of all cases, with company-reported interim data suggesting target engagement in the ongoing Phase 1/2 ANQUR trial (QRL-201). This review synthesizes the latest evidence across all three therapeutic domains, with attention to the hierarchy of evidence, regulatory milestones, and the pioneering contributions of Japanese research groups.

PMID 42359165
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PubMedAmerican journal of ophthalmology2026-06-24

Dopamine-Enhancing Therapies and Risk of Neovascular AMD Conversion: A Target Trial Emulation.

Fazal Owais O, Loya Asad A, Muayad Jawad J, Alsoudi Amer F AF et al.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of central vision loss worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting dopaminergic pathways may influence AMD progression. This study evaluates whether levodopa ± carbidopa or dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) agonists are associated with reduced risk of conversion to neovascular AMD (nAMD). Population-based clinical cohort study. Adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with non-nAMD between May 2005 and May 2025, within the TriNetX US Collaborative Network, a federated electronic health record database spanning 69 healthcare organizations. This retrospective cohort study emulated four distinct target trials comparing new users of (1) levodopa (± carbidopa) or (2) DRD2 agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, bromocriptine, rotigotine, or cabergoline) to new users of two comparators (pantoprazole or gabapentin). Patients with prior nAMD or prescriptions of other dopamine-enhancing agents (eg, selegiline, rasagiline, tolcapone) were excluded. Each exposure group was independently matched to comparators using 1:1 propensity score matching for selected demographics, social factors, comorbidities, and AMD stage. The primary outcome was 3-year risk of conversion from non-nAMD to nAMD. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. An α level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Patients prescribed levodopa ± carbidopa had a reduced 3-year risk of conversion to nAMD relative to their matched counterparts prescribed pantoprazole (levodopa n = 1312, control n = 1312; HR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98) and gabapentin (levodopa n = 1675, control n = 1675; HR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.95). No significant difference was observed in 3-year risk of conversion to nAMD between DRD2 agonists use relative to pantoprazole (DRD2 n = 1603, control n = 1603; HR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.58-1.13) or gabapentin (DRD2 n = 2779, control n = 2779; HR 0.92; 95% CI, 0.72-1.19). In this cohort study, levodopa ± carbidopa use was associated with lower 3-year risk of conversion to nAMD in two independent matched comparisons, whereas DRD2 agonists were not associated with significant differences in risk. These findings suggest dopaminergic signaling may influence AMD progression and warrant further prospective investigation.

PMID 42336230
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PubMedTalanta2026-06-11

Isocratic zwitterionic HILIC-ESI-MS method for assay of ropinirole and quantitation of degradation impurities in extended-release tablets.

Brakoulia Vasiliki V, Geballa-Koukoula Ariadni A, Bogeas Dimitrios D, Kakouris Andreas A et al.

Given the therapeutic importance of ropinirole in Parkinson's disease and its long-term use, reliable quality control of this drug is required, with particular emphasis on impurity control in the finished pharmaceutical product. A zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HILIC-ESI-MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of ropinirole and three degradation impurities in pharmaceutical tablets. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a ZIC®-HILIC column (150 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm particle size, 200 Å) under isocratic elution with a mobile phase of 18.8 mM aqueous ammonium formate solution at pH 6.20 and acetonitrile in an 8:92 (v/v) ratio, delivered at a flow rate of 0.25 mL min-1. Detection was performed in positive electrospray ionization mode using selected ion monitoring and the target analytes were determined within 10 min for assay and 16 min for impurity testing. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, robustness, and selectivity. Calibration curves showed good linearity over the concentration range of 21 to 122 ng mL-1 with correlation coefficients of at least 0.997. Intra-day precision (% CV) did not exceed 6.7 %, while total precision ranged between 2.5 and 8.8 % for all compounds. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercially available ropinirole extended-release tablets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported HILIC-ESI-MS method for the assay of ropinirole and the quantitation of three degradation impurities in pharmaceutical tablets.

PMID 42269407
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PubMedThe American journal of emergency medicine2026-06-08

Recurrent bradycardia and hypotension after Oral Lacosamide during hospital boarding in the emergency department: A case report.

Gorham Jack W JW, Pope Jennifer V JV, Wischmeyer Jareth S JS, Babineau Matthew R MR

Lacosamide is a third-generation antiseizure medication that enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Although generally well tolerated, it has been associated with cardiac conduction abnormalities, most commonly in the setting of intravenous administration, overdose, or dose escalation. We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with a history of hypertension (treated with losartan and metoprolol), restless legs syndrome (treated with ropinirole), peripheral neuropathy, and seizure disorder who presented to the emergency department with several days of intermittent confusion and generalized weakness following a recent admission for seizure-like activity, during which lacosamide had been initiated. On arrival, she was afebrile with a heart rate of 74 beats per minute, blood pressure 165/88 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air; she was oriented to person and year but not to place, which represented a change from her baseline. Initial laboratory evaluation, including complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel with normal renal and hepatic function, B12, and thyroid stimulating hormone, was unremarkable, and her admission electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm with a PR interval of 208 ms. While boarding in the emergency department, she received her scheduled oral lacosamide 150 mg, and approximately two hours later was found unresponsive with a heart rate in the 30s and systolic blood pressure of 50 mmHg. She responded to atropine 1 mg IV and 50μg of epinephrine IV, with improvement of her vital signs and mental status. Six hours later, she received a second scheduled dose of lacosamide 150 mg along with her home medications, including metoprolol tartrate 50 mg, and again two hours later became minimally responsive with a heart rate of 49 beats per minute, blood pressure 64/32 mmHg, and a new first-degree atrioventricular block; she again responded to atropine. The second episode was more pronounced and associated with conduction delay not previously present. No seizure activity was observed during either episode. Lacosamide was discontinued, and the patient had no further bradycardic or hypotensive events. The reproducible temporal relationship between dosing and symptoms, along with resolution after medication cessation, supports a causal association. This case highlights that clinically significant cardiac adverse effects can occur with standard oral dosing of lacosamide, particularly in older adults and in the presence of other medications that affect cardiac conduction. Emergency physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for medication-induced bradycardia and hypotension in patients receiving lacosamide. This case also underscores how hospital boarding can increase the risk of iatrogenic harm, as patients may receive routine medications in a high-acuity environment where evolving adverse effects can be more difficult to anticipate and detect.

PMID 42258903
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