Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist of the non-ergoline class of medications. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Ropinirole is prescribed for mainly Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, and extrapyramidal symptoms. It can also reduce the side effects caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Parkinsonism syndrome as well as sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction caused by either SSRIs or antipsychotics. Ropinirole acts as a D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptor agonist with highest affinity for D2. It is weakly active at the 5-HT2, and α2 receptors and is said to have virtually no affinity for the 5-HT1, benzodiazepine, GABA, muscarinic, α1, and β-adrenoreceptors. Ropinirole is metabolized primarily by cytochrome P450 CYP1A2 to form two metabolites.
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