Neupro (Rotigotine) belongs to the class of medications called dopamine agonists. It may be used alone or in combination with levodopa to help control the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are caused by a decrease in the amount of dopamine, a chemical messenger, in the brain. Neupro (Rotigotine) works by correcting the dopamine imbalance in the brain that produces these symptoms.

Neupro (Rotigotine) may also be used to treat moderate to severe restless legs syndrome in adults.

Neupro (Rotigotine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Neupro (Rotigotine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Neupro (Rotigotine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Neupro (Rotigotine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Neupro (Rotigotine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Neupro (Rotigotine) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Neupro (Rotigotine) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Neupro (Rotigotine) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended starting dose for early-stage Parkinson's disease is a 2 mg/24 hour patch applied daily. Depending on the effectiveness and the side effects that you experience, your doctor may gradually increase the dose.

For advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, the starting dose is a 4 mg/24 hour patch applied daily. The daily dose should not be more than 16 mg/24 hour.

To treat the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, the starting dose is a 1 mg/24 hour patch applied daily. It may be gradually increased to a maximum of 3 mg/24 hours.

Neupro (Rotigotine) transdermal patches are to be changed every day at approximately the same time each day. The patch may be applied to the shoulder, upper arm, lower abdomen (belly), flank (the area of your side between your ribs and hip), thigh, or hip. Do not apply heat directly to the patch or to the area of skin close to the patch. This may cause an increased amount of medication to be absorbed into the body, possibly causing an increase in side effects.

To apply the patch:

• Choose a clean and dry area of intact skin that is not oily, damaged, irritated, or exposed to the sun. Avoid areas where it may be rubbed by tight clothing and do not apply lotions or creams to the area where you are applying the patch. This helps prevent the patch from falling off. To avoid irritation, apply the patch to a different area of skin each day. Do not use the same area of skin twice within 14 days.
• Peel apart the foil pouch containing the patch. Remove the patch from the pouch.
• A protective layer covers the sticky side of the patch. Remove the protective layer by holding the patch in both hands with the sticky side facing you. Bend the patch in half to break the protective layer.
• Avoid touching the adhesive. Peel off one side of the release liner. Put the sticky surface of the patch on your skin and press the sticky side of the patch in place.
• Fold back the other half of the patch to remove the other side of the liner and press the patch down firmly with the palm of your hand. Hold the patch in place for about 30 seconds and make sure that the patch is affixed to your skin, especially around its edges.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

When changing the patch, remove the old one carefully, fold it in half so that the adhesive sides stick together, and throw it away or bring it to the pharmacy for proper disposal. The patch still contains medication that can harm people who do not need the medication. Keep it out of the reach of children or pets. If adhesive remains on your skin, rub it off gently.

Bathing, showering, swimming, or other contact with water does not affect the patch. However, external heat such as hot water, steam, saunas, excessive sunlight, heating pads, or hot water bottles on the area of the patch may cause too much medication to be absorbed into your body. If your patch falls off, apply a new patch.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Neupro (Rotigotine) be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If Neupro (Rotigotine) is stopped suddenly, there is a risk of developing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome which can be fatal. If it becomes necessary to stop the medication, it should be done gradually under your doctor's supervision.

If you forget to apply or change your patch, change it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time when you normally change your patch, still apply it but change the patch again at your usual time and continue with your regular schedule. Do not wear 2 patches at once. If you are not sure what to do after forgetting to apply or change the patch, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Neupro (Rotigotine) at room temperature in the original pouches until you are ready to apply the patch. Keep this an all other medication out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Neupro (Rotigotine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Neupro (Rotigotine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Neupro (Rotigotine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• difficulty starting movements
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• skin irritation where the patch is applied
• sleepiness
• vomiting
• trouble sleeping

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• compulsive or uncontrolled behaviour (e.g., gambling, spending)
• falling asleep while doing normal activities
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
• increased blood pressure
• Low Blood Pressure making you feel faint, sweaty, or have nausea
• swelling in the legs, ankles or feet
• symptoms getting worse (restless legs syndrome)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• allergic skin reaction (e.g., redness, rash, or swelling; blistering skin under the patch)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Neupro (Rotigotine).

1 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 1 mg/24h" contains 2.25 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 1 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients: polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.

2 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 2 mg/24h" contains 4.5 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 2 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients: polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.

3 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 3 mg/24h" contains 6.75 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 3 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients:polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.

4 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 4 mg/24h" contains 9 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 4 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients:polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.

6 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 6 mg/24h" contains 13.5 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 6 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients:polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.

8 mg/24h
Each flexible beige-to-light-brown, square-shaped transdermal system with rounded edges, imprinted with "Neupro 8 mg/24h" contains 18 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) which provides 8 mg of Neupro (Rotigotine) over a 24 hour period. Nonmedicinal ingredients:polyester film, siliconized, aluminized, colour-coated with a pigment (titanium dioxide (E171), pigment yellow 95, pigment red 166) layer and imprinted (pigment red 144, pigment yellow 95, pigment black 7), poly(dimethylsiloxane, trimethylsilyl silicate)-copolymerisate, Povidone K90, sodium metabisulphite (E223), ascorbyl palmitate (E304) and DL α tocopherol (E307), transparent fluoropolymer coated polyester film.