HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Stiffness In The Calves Of Legs After Taking Ropinirole?

default
Posted on Sat, 25 Jul 2015
Question: I am taking ropinirole for restless legs and have developed stiffness in the calves of my legs. What health problems is this causing me if I would continue using the medicine? What are the side effects I will experience if I would go off the medicine? I have been taking it for a year.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

If you would have presented to me as an outpatient,I would have told you to continue Ropinirole if you are not having any troublesome side effects because of it.This is so because Ropinirole associated side effects like drowsiness,dizziness,sleepiness or hallucinations tend to show up shortly after starting the drugs.The longer the time elapses,better gets the tolerance to the side effects. Sometimes,the side effects may appear with the increased dose.So,you can continue to take Ropinirole in the same dose.
If you go off the medicines,then how will your Restless legs syndrome be managed?

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (10 hours later)
I would like to know if the stiffness in the calves of my legs (caused by the ropinirole) is causing any serious or permanent damage to my legs
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Are you confident enough that Ropinirole is causing your stiffness?

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Ropinirole can rarely result in muscles stiffness.Can you strongly correlate the stiffness with Ropinirole?If yes,then alternative major drugs like Pramipexole or clonazepam should be started and Ropinirole gradually stopped.

However,stiffness and tremors together may be part of some parkinsonian disorder and should be meticulously examined by a Neurologist for the same.
Further,Restless legs syndrome can sometimes have stiffness as an associated feature.

Ropinirole discontinuation or modification should be done if there is a strong temporal relationship between starting the drug and onset of stiffness.

However,if Ropinirole induced,stiffness will gradually improve after the drug is stopped.

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (14 minutes later)
Thank you for the information. I am pleased with the information you gave me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Regards.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

I acknowledge your appreciation.Please close the thread, rate it and write a review.

Please get back to me in case of any further queries as I am curious to track your future clinical course.

Regards and Thanks.
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ajay Panwar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1827 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Stiffness In The Calves Of Legs After Taking Ropinirole?

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com. I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query. If you would have presented to me as an outpatient,I would have told you to continue Ropinirole if you are not having any troublesome side effects because of it.This is so because Ropinirole associated side effects like drowsiness,dizziness,sleepiness or hallucinations tend to show up shortly after starting the drugs.The longer the time elapses,better gets the tolerance to the side effects. Sometimes,the side effects may appear with the increased dose.So,you can continue to take Ropinirole in the same dose. If you go off the medicines,then how will your Restless legs syndrome be managed? If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me. Regards Dr.Ajay Panwar MD,DM(Neurology)