Ropinirole: Buying tablets for the treatment of restless legs syndrome online in the UK

Ropinirole is a medication available in the tablet form that is commonly used for the treatment of restless legs syndrome. While it is developed by numerous pharmaceutical companies, the production and marketing of Ropinirole in the UK is dominated by Actavis. This medication contains ropinirole hydrochloride as its active ingredient which classifies it as a dopamine agonist or dopamine booster. Similarly to other RLS medication, Ropinirole is usually prescribed in a low dose which is gradually increased every week until the doctor is confident that the optimal management dose has been reached.

What’s on this page?

What is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome, often abbreviated to RLS is an umbrella term denoting a cluster of symptoms that can be caused by a number of different medical conditions. For some, RLS is caused by kidney issues, anaemia or iron deficiency, while for others no direct cause can be determined, contributing to the classification of the RLS as a neurological disorder. In either case, this term refers to uncomfortable feeling in the legs that will result in an overwhelming urge to start moving the legs.

How dangerous is RLS?

Restless legs syndrome is not a serious or dangerous condition, if left untreated it can worsen and become rather disruptive for everyday activities. Living with RLS can have an impact on the quality of life due to its potential to disrupt sleep once the condition attains a higher level of severity.

How Ropinirole treats RLS?

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 Ropinirole. However, even these medications cannot cure, but only treat and manage the condition. Ropinirole is commonly prescribed to patients affected by more severe case of RLS. Once the transdermal patches are applied to the skin, Ropinirole 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 Ropinirole online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy Ropinirole online in the UK, but there are two important issues that you should keep in mind. First, Ropinirole is a prescription-only medication and as such it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. While it is possible to obtain various prescriptions without leaving the comfort of your own home, it might be somewhat more difficult for Ropinirole.

This is so because restless legs syndrome can often be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, some of which tend to be quite dangerous. So the doctor will wont to absolutely exclude this possibility and one cannot do so without conducting texts and examinations face-to-face. This is why you will have an easier time buying Ropinirole online if you already had a prescription and are looking to simply renew it.

How to take Ropinirole?

• Always take exactly as instructed by your doctor and in line with the guidelines provided in the official patient information leaflet
• There is no one fixed dose for all – the doctor will prescribed you a very low dose and gradually increase it on a weekly basis until the optimal management dose is reached
• Take the tablets whole, without chewing or breaking them
• Take Ropinirole tablets each day at the same time
• The best time to take the medication is two to three hours before bedtime
• Taking tablets with food might reduce the risk of experiencing side effects
• If you forget a dose, just skip it and continue the treatment as usual
• If you skip several doses, consult your doctor about how to proceed – you might need to decrease the dose again and slowly build it up, just like the first time
• Do not stop taking Ropinirole without doctor’s approval

Please keep in mind that this is just a summary. For a detailed guideline, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Ropinirole.

What are Ropinirole 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 Ropinirole.