Neupro (rotigotine): Buying restless legs syndrome medications online in the UK

Neupro is a medication that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of restless legs syndrome. Available in the form of transdermal patch, Neupro works by releasing a regulated amount of active ingredient, a dopamine agonist called rotigotine. The patches are applied directly to skin where they should remain in place for a period of 24 hours. Despite its somewhat unconventional method of application, Neupro is considered to be highly effective and reliable when it comes to mitigating and managing RLS that is not caused by an underlying medical condition.

What’s on this page?

What is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome, or RLS for short, is a medical term used to denote a condition affecting the nervous system that is marked by a presence of unpleasant sensation in the calves, feet and thighs that results in an overwhelming urge to move ones legs. RLS can affect anyone, regardless of the age and gender, but has been confirmed to be more common in women than men. In fact, the prevalence of RLS is almost twice as high among females than males.

In some cases, restless legs syndrome is caused by an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease or anaemia and in these scenarios it won’t be effectively treated by medications such as Neupro. Prescription medications for RLS will work only for those people whose restless legs syndrome cannot be tied to any obvious cause. In those cases, the symptoms are usually caused by reduced dopamine signalling in the brain, which is something that medications such as Neupro can efficiently treat.

How does Neupro work?

Most of those affected by RLS won’t require any treatment. Milder cases can actually be successfully managed by certain lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, getting your sleep schedule in order or just dealing better with stress. Light exercises as well as tai chi, walks, yoga or massages have been known to help. However, this can be applicable only to those milder cases of restless legs syndrome and those which are not caused by an underlying medical condition.

If you are affected by more severe form or RLS, the best option for you are dopamine agonists, also known as dopamine boosters, such as Neupro. However, even these medications cannot cure, but only treat and manage the condition. Neupro is commonly prescribed to patients affected by more severe case of RLS. Once the transdermal patches are applied to the skin, Neupro will release regulated doses of its active ingredient rotigotine which will in turn stimulate the dopamine signalling going on in the brain. While the exact nature of the relation between dopamine levels and restless legs syndrome is not fully understood as of now, the trials conducted seem to confirm that increased level of dopamine signalling is indeed beneficial and successfully in decreasing the intensity of RLS.

Can I buy Neupro online in the UK?

Neupro is a prescription-only medication which means that it can be legally obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. This wouldn’t necessarily be an obstacle to buying Neupro online, as numerous online clinics will offer you to consult with a doctor via the functionality of their website and obtain a prescription in such a way.

However, as Restless Legs Syndrome can be indicative of an underlying medical condition, the doctors might be somewhat reserved about issuing a prescription without conducting important tests to eliminate other possible causes. This is why it might not be as easy to buy Neupro online as is the case with some other medications. But, if it is not your first time buying Neupro in the UK, the doctor employed at the online clinic might be open for renewing your prescription after you fill in a detailed and specialised medical questionnaire that will be used to make an assessment of your suitability for using Neupro.

How to use Neupro patches?

Neupro transdermal patches are pretty straightforward to use and as long as you replace them regularly, there shouldn’t be any issues. However, if you are unsure about anything, it is important to sort it out before commencing treatment. You can do so by either contacting your doctor and asking him about clarifications or by reading the official patient information leaflet that is supplied with every pack of Neupro transdermal patches. There you will find detailed guidelines that will make Neupro treatment simple and easy.

• Always use as instructed by your doctor and in line with the guidelines provided in the patient information leaflet
• The doctor will most probably recommend you start with a very low dose and then increase it on a weekly basis until you reach the dose that will efficiently manage your RLS
• Neupro patches are to be applied directly to the skin and replaced daily (on every 24 hours)
• The patches should be applied to clean, dry and undamaged area of skin with shoulder, upper arm, stomach, thigh, hip and flank being the most convenient places
• Always remove the old patch before applying a new one
• New patch should be applied to a different area of skin; try to avoid applying the patch in the same place within two weeks period
• Try to change the patch at the same time each day for optimal results
• Do not use skin products on or near areas where Neupro patch is applied or will be applied
• If you have to apply the patch to the area which is hairy, you will have to shave it three days prior to applying the patch
• If patch falls off by accident, just apply a new one for the rest of the 24 hours period and then continue with the treatment as usual

Please note that the text above is just a summary of the guidelines and as such, it cannot be used as a substitute for the official information or the doctor’s advice.

What are Neupro side effects?

Please note that this is not a complete list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Neupro.