[Clinical data of the prolonged-release formulation of ropinirole]

Ropinirole is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist with medium elimination half time, which has been licensed for the therapy of idiopathic Parkinson syndrome in mono- and add-on therapy for more than 10 years. Since 2008 a prolonged-release formulation has been available in Germany, which can be taken once daily. This formulation results in less plasma level fluctuations compared to the thrice-daily immediate-release formulation enabling smoother dopaminergic therapy with symptomatic efficacy day and night. Ropinirole PR has shown good efficacy and tolerability in controlled trials in monotherapy in early patients as well as in add-on studies in advanced patients. In a head-to-head comparison of both formulations as add-on therapy in advanced patients higher doses were achieved with ropinirole PR accompanied by a higher mean decrease of L-Dopa dose. Under these conditions significantly higher efficacy was observed. The titration regime of ropinirole PR is faster with significant efficacy versus placebo as early as in week 2. Especially in patients with pre-existing Parkinson-related poor sleep quality positive effects on sleep and nocturnal symptoms were shown.