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Compare Requip vs. Stalevo

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

Key takeaways

Ropinirole (generic name) and Stalevo (carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work differently. Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist that mimics dopamine in the brain and is also used for restless legs syndrome (RLS). It comes in immediate-release and extended-release tablets, and common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, and dizziness. Stalevo, on the other hand, is a combination of three medications: carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone. Levodopa replaces dopamine, while carbidopa and entacapone help prevent levodopa from breaking down before it reaches the brain. Stalevo is specifically for PD and helps reduce "off" periods when symptoms return. It can cause side effects like involuntary movements, nausea, and diarrhea. Both medications are available in generic forms, but Stalevo combines three drugs into one pill for convenience, whereas ropinirole is a single medication.

  • Ropinirole
    Stalevo
  • Ropinirole
    Stalevo

  • Summary of Requip vs. Stalevo

    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 / COMT inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Stalevo is a combination medication that treats Parkinson's disease (PD) in adults. It has carbidopa (a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor), levodopa (a dopamine replacement), and entacapone (a COMT inhibitor). The addition of entacapone helps the effects of the medication last longer. This helps lessen "off" time (when movement symptoms come back as the medication wears off). Side effects include involuntary movements, nausea, and diarrhea. Stalevo is available as a brand name and generic.

  • Indications of Requip vs. Stalevo

    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)
    •Moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) - immediate-release tablets only
    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)

  • Pros and Cons of Requip vs. Stalevo

    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 / COMT inhibitor
    Pros
    •Combines three medications into a single pill, so you don't have to take as many tablets to control your PD symptoms
    •Helps relieve PD symptoms for a longer period of time than carbidopa/levodopa alone
    •Available in six different strengths, so your prescriber can adjust your dose if needed
    •Okay to take if you have kidney problems
    Cons
    •Usually need to take multiple times per day to help relieve PD symptoms
    •Might need to first take immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone separately until you find the right dose before switching to Stalevo
    •Can make you very sleepy and cause you to fall asleep all of a sudden
    •Can make the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine darker

  • Common Side Effects of Requip vs. Stalevo

    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, 25%)
    •Nausea (14%)
    •Rapid involuntary movements (10%)
    •Diarrhea (10%)
    •Changes in the color of your urine (10%)
    •Slow involuntary movements (9%)
    •Stomach pain (8%)
    •Dizziness (8%)
    •Constipation (6%)
    •Tiredness (6%)
    •Back pain (5%)

  • Warnings of Requip vs. Stalevo

    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
    •Low blood pressure and fainting
    •Risk of depression and suicidal behavior
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
    •High fevers and confusion with treatment changes
    •Diarrhea and inflamed colon (colitis)
    •Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Risk of stomach bleeding in people who've had a stomach ulcer

  • Prices with our coupons for Requip vs. Stalevo

    Learn more about Ropinirole
    Learn more about Stalevo

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