Adartrel

Adartrel contains ropinirole, a non-ergot dopamine agonist licensed for the treatment of moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS).

RLS is a neurological condition characterised by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations such as crawling, tingling, or aching.

Symptoms typically worsen during periods of rest and in the evening or at night, significantly disrupting sleep.

Ropinirole works by stimulating dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the brain, compensating for the dopaminergic dysfunction believed to underlie restless legs syndrome.

By restoring dopamine signalling, ropinirole reduces the urge to move, alleviates uncomfortable leg sensations, and improves sleep quality.

The medication is taken once daily in the evening, approximately one to three hours before bedtime.

Adartrel is intended for patients whose RLS symptoms are frequent and troublesome enough to require pharmacological treatment.

Non-pharmacological measures such as regular exercise, sleep hygiene, and avoidance of caffeine should be tried first or alongside medication.

Take Adartrel by mouth once daily, one to three hours before bedtime. Swallow the tablet with water, with or without food.

Treatment begins at a low dose and is gradually increased over several weeks to find the lowest effective dose. Do not stop the medication abruptly, as this may cause a worsening of symptoms.

If you need to discontinue, your doctor will taper the dose gradually.

Avoid alcohol while taking Adartrel, as it may increase drowsiness. If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, inform your prescriber.

Treatment starts at 0.25 mg once daily. The dose is increased after two days to 0.5 mg, then after a further five days to 1 mg. Further increases in 0.

5 mg steps may be made at weekly intervals if needed, up to a maximum of 4 mg per day. The optimal dose for most patients is between 1 mg and 3 mg daily.

Always follow your prescriber's titration schedule.

Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 patients) include nausea (especially during dose escalation), dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue.

Uncommon effects include vomiting, abdominal pain, and orthostatic hypotension.

Dopamine agonists may, rarely, cause impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive eating, or hypersexuality.

Augmentation, where RLS symptoms begin earlier in the day or spread to the arms, may occur with long-term use.

Sleep attacks and excessive daytime sleepiness have been reported and may affect the ability to drive.

Ropinirole may cause sudden onset of sleep without prior warning. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness.

Inform your prescriber immediately if you develop unusual urges or behaviours, as impulse control disorders are a recognised side effect of dopamine agonists.

Patients should be monitored for augmentation during long-term treatment. Use with caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disease, severe renal impairment, or psychotic disorders.

Adartrel is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min) without dialysis, severe hepatic insufficiency, and known hypersensitivity to ropinirole or any excipient.

It should be used with caution in combination with other dopaminergic agents or antipsychotic drugs.