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Compare Requip vs. Sinemet

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Ropinirole (generic name) and Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work differently. Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist that mimics dopamine in the brain, while Sinemet combines carbidopa and levodopa to increase dopamine levels. Ropinirole is also used for restless legs syndrome (RLS), whereas Sinemet is not. Ropinirole is available as immediate-release and extended-release tablets, while Sinemet comes in immediate-release, extended-release, and orally disintegrating tablets. Ropinirole can cause side effects like impulsive behavior and hallucinations, while Sinemet can cause dark-colored saliva, sweat, and urine. Both medications can make you very sleepy and should not be stopped suddenly without consulting your provider. Generic versions of both medications are available, making them more affordable.

  • Ropinirole
    Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)
  • Ropinirole
    Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)

  • Summary of Requip vs. Sinemet

    Summary for Dopamine agonist
    Prescription only

    Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist that's used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) in adults. For Parkinson's disease, the immediate-release tablets are taken by mouth three times per day, and the extended-release tablets are taken once per day. Ropinirole side effects include nausea, sleepiness, and dizziness.

    Summary for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
    Prescription only

    Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is a combination medication made up of carbidopa and levodopa. It's one of the first-choice options for Parkinson's disease (PD) to relieve symptoms, such as shakiness and slowed movement. The medication comes in many forms and strengths, but it must be taken multiple times per day in order to relieve your PD symptoms.

  • Indications of Requip vs. Sinemet

    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)
    •Moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) - immediate-release tablets only
    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)
    •Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have signs and symptoms of PD, including slowness, stiffness, shakiness, and imbalance)

  • Pros and Cons of Requip vs. Sinemet

    Pros and Const for Dopamine agonist
    Pros
    •Works well to control movement problems
    •Can take with or without food
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Only available as a tablet that's swallowed whole
    •Can have a lot of side effects, like impulsive behavior and hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real)
    •Can't suddenly stop taking ropinirole because of risk of withdrawal symptoms
    Pros and Const for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
    Pros
    •First-choice option for treating PD symptoms
    •Available in many forms: immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets
    •Available in multiple strengths, so your provider can prescribe a higher dose if needed
    •Available in a lower-cost generic form
    Cons
    •Usually needs to be taken multiple times per day to control PD symptoms
    •Can make you very sleepy and cause you to fall asleep suddenly
    •Can darken the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine
    •Might not work as well if your PD symptoms worsen

  • Common Side Effects of Requip vs. Sinemet

    Common Side Effects for

    Parkinson's disease:

    •Nausea (60%)
    •Dizziness (40%)
    •Sleepiness (40%)
    •Weakness (16%)
    •Feeling faint (12%)
    •Vomiting (12%)
    •Viral infection (11%)
    •Indigestion (10%)

    Restless legs syndrome:

    •Nausea (40%)
    •Sleepiness (12%)
    •Vomiting (11%)
    •Dizziness (11%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia, 12-17%)
    •Nausea (6%)

  • Warnings of Requip vs. Sinemet

    Common Side Effects for
    •Extreme sleepiness
    •Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls
    •Intense urges
    •Hallucinations and behavior changes
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Worsening symptoms of RLS (immediate-release tablets only)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
    •High fevers and confusion
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
    •Skin cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Requip vs. Sinemet

    Learn more about Ropinirole
    Learn more about Sinemet

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