[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/) › Ropinirole

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)

# Ropinirole

A non-ergot dopamine agonist for Parkinson disease and restless legs. Cleared by the liver (CYP1A2); causes sleep attacks and impulse-control problems.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)
- Receptor: Dopamine D2 receptor
- ATC code: N04BC04

◎**Dopamine D2 receptor**Ropinirole

ⓘ The figure shows bromocriptine in the human D2 receptor; ropinirole, a non-ergot agonist, acts on the same dopamine binding site.

**Target in 3D:** Dopamine D2 receptor. PDB structure 7JVR (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7JVR) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Ropinirole is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist. Its benefit in Parkinson disease is thought to come from stimulation of D2 receptors in the caudate and putamen; how it helps restless legs is not fully known.

- Ropinirole binds D2-family receptors in the striatum
- It replaces the missing dopamine signal
- Movement and leg discomfort improve

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Extensively metabolized in the liver, mainly by CYP1A2; less than a tenth excreted unchanged

**Half-life**
About 6 hours

## Indications

- Parkinson disease [Parkinson disease →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/parkinson-disease/)
- Moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome [Restless legs syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia
- Somnolence and dizziness
- Leg oedema
- Fatigue and weakness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Falling asleep during daily activities, including driving
- Syncope and orthostatic hypotension
- Hallucinations and psychotic-like behaviour
- Impulse-control and compulsive behaviours

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to ropinirole (urticaria, angioedema, rash)

## Key interactions

**Ciprofloxacin and other CYP1A2 inhibitors**
Raise ropinirole levels and sleepiness

**Smoking and other CYP1A2 inducers**
Can lower ropinirole levels

**Oestrogens**
Reduce ropinirole clearance

**Antipsychotics, metoclopramide**
Reduce its effect

## What is monitored

- Daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks
- Impulse-control behaviours (ask the family)
- Blood pressure and fainting
- New interacting drugs, especially ciprofloxacin

## Administration and safety

- Increased gradually; tapered when stopped
- Immediate-release and extended-release tablets are different products
- Taking it with food may reduce nausea

## Nursing care

- Teach about sleep attacks before driving
- Ask about gambling, shopping and sexual urges
- Check for dizziness on standing and fall risk
- Report a new antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin to the prescriber

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There are no adequate human data; animal studies showed harm to development.

## Memory aid

«Ropinirole Rides the Liver; Pramipexole Pees out»: CYP1A2 for ropinirole, kidney for pramipexole.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which enzyme metabolizes ropinirole, and which antibiotic raises its levels?

CYP1A2; ciprofloxacin is the classic inhibitor.

## How does ropinirole differ from pramipexole in elimination?

Ropinirole is metabolized by the liver; pramipexole is excreted unchanged by the kidney.

## Is ropinirole an ergot or a non-ergot agonist?

Non-ergot, so it does not carry the fibrosis and valve risk of the ergot agonists.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ropinirole/)

## Related drugs

- [Pramipexole](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pramipexole/)
- [Levodopa + carbidopa](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/levodopa-carbidopa/)

## Related conditions

- [Parkinson disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/parkinson-disease/)
- [Restless legs syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/)

[← Back to the class: Dopamine agonists](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-agonists/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - ROPINIROLE tablet, film coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6d1a0f9f-5fa0-43fa-83b9-0d18a129fd0c) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Ropinirole: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698013.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 21 (McGraw Hill, 2023).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ropinirole/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ropinirole/