title: Ropinirole in the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Ropinirole is a novel, non-ergoline dopamine agonist chemical name with a very high specificity for dopamine D2-like receptors, currently being investigated for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease. The efficacy of ropinirole has been investigated in three placebo-controlled studies: one using ropinirole as monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease and two using it as an adjunct to L-dopa in patients who are experiencing fluctuations in motor response. Ropinirole therapy for 12 weeks was an effective symptomatic therapy in both patient groups, as measured by either a significant improvement in the motor score of the UPDRS, reduction of awake time spent "off" or a reduction in the dose of L-dopa. Ropinirole therapy was generally well tolerated, the most frequent adverse events being nausea and vomiting which are typical of all dopamine agonists, but unlike other dopamine agonists, CNS side-effects were of the same magnitude as found patients receiving placebo.
authors: MRC Cyclotron Unit. Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Brooks
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Torjanski
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Burn
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D007211:Indoles; C046649:ropinirole; D007980:Levodopa