rotigotine (transdermal) Health Article

Generic name(s):

rotigotine (transdermal)

Brand name(s):

rotigotine, Neupro

What is the most important information I should know about rotigotine?

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Before using rotigotine, tell your doctor if you have asthma or allergies, heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, seizures, or uncontrolled tremors.

Rotigotine may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, breathing problems, severe or sudden headache, hallucinations, chest pain, swelling, fainting, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

You may have increased sexual urges, intense or unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking rotigotine. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while you are using rotigotine.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

What is rotigotine?

Rotigotine has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.

Rotigotine is used to treat early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Rotigotine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using rotigotine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to rotigotine, povidone, or silicone.

Before using rotigotine, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma or any allergies;

• heart disease or congestive heart failure;

• high blood pressure;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

• tremors (dyskinesia) or uncontrolled muscle movements.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use rotigotine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Rotigotine may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Rotigotine may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You may have increased sexual urges, intense or unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while using rotigotine. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while you are using rotigotine.

Some people using medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.