Requip (ropinirole) is a dopaminergic agent and it has some of the same effects as dopamine, a naturally occuring chemical found in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson's disease.
Requip is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease (stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control). Ropinirole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Only immediate-release Requip is approved to treat either Parkinson symptoms or RLS. Extended-release Requip XL is approved only to treat Parkinson symptoms.
Parkinson's and RLS are two separate disorders. Having one of these conditions will not cause you to have the other condition.
