Ropinirole withdrawal

[21years]

I decided to stop using Ropinirole due to augmentation 11 days ago. It has been pretty awful and I am currently off work due to lack of sleep.

My question is how long does it take to get Ropinirole out of your system? I’m not sure whether the slightly reduced symptoms is the best I can expect or if I need to wait a while longer to ascertain my base rls level.

Due to go back to work on Monday if I feel able, at the moment I don’t. Not sure where to go from here.

[Madlegs1]

It depends on how much you were taking and for how long.

It can take a long time to get over, and you should be starting on Gabapentin or whatever medication you are going to go with.

Opioids would be considered the best option ,but are difficult to get prescribed.

[21years in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you, I have been on Ropinirole and Pramipexole for over 20 years at a dose of 2mg.

I was hoping that I could try managing without taking any further medication. I didn’t realise the withdrawal could take so long.

I am so worried about taking more medications that could cause me even more issues. I was hoping there was a less intrusive medication I could take, gabapentin and the side effects really worry me.

[Joolsg in reply to 21years]

Stopping Pramipexole and Ropinirole is extremely difficult and traumatic. The worst of withdrawal lasts 2 weeks, but it can continue for months.As you have been on these powerful brain drugs for 20 years, your dopamine receptors will take a ling time to settle.

Your RLS won't suddenly 'disappear' so you have to work out how to treat it going forward. I doubt you can be med free, unless an iron infusion settles your RLS.

First, get full panel fasting blood tests and increase your serum ferritin above 100, preferably 200. That will help the majority of RLS. However, years on dopamine agonists can damage dopamine receptors, and they are needed to take up iron in the brain. It could be why iron infusions don't work for many of us.

The new first line meds for RLS are pregabalin or gabapentin. Or long lasting low dose opioids.

I suspect you will need meds.

[21years in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for your reply

[SueJohnson]

The half life of ropinirole is 6 hours so it is out of your system but withdrawal effects can last for anywhere from several weeks to 6 months.

[21years in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for your reply

[icomjohn]

Hi, I was on ropinirole for a few months but because they seemed to make my rls worse so I came of them reducing the dose quite quickly till I came off them and my rls has been virtually non existent.

[21years in reply to icomjohn]

Hi, that’s great news!

Thanks for sharing, as it gives me hope that I may be able to manage the rls drug free once the withdrawal is over.