Patients treated with ropinirole extended-release tablets have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including driving or operating machinery, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on ropinirole, some perceived that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Some have reported these events more than 1 year after initiation of treatment. 

Among the 613 patients who received ropinirole extended-release tablets in flexible-dose clinical trials (Study 1 and Study 3), <1% of patients reported sudden onset of sleep and <1% of patients reported a motor vehicle accident in which it is not known if falling asleep was a contributing factor. 

In a placebo-controlled fixed-dose trial in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (Study 2), sudden onset of sleep was reported in 4% of 276 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 3% of 74 patients on placebo. In a placebo-controlled fixed-dose trial in patients with early Parkinson’s disease (Study 4), sudden onset of sleep was reported in 5% of 146 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 0% of 40 patients on placebo [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The incidence of sudden onset of sleep was not dose-related in either trial.

During a placebo-controlled flexible-dose trial in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (Study 1), somnolence was reported in 7% of 202 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 4% of 191 patients on placebo. During a flexible-dose, active-control, crossover trial in early Parkinson’s disease (Study 3), somnolence was reported in 11% of 140 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 15% of 149 patients on an immediate-release formulation of ropinirole tablets [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. 

In a placebo-controlled fixed-dose trial in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (Study 2), somnolence was reported in 8% of 276 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 5% of 74 patients on placebo. In a placebo-controlled fixed-dose trial in patients with early Parkinson’s disease (Study 4), somnolence was reported in 10% of 146 patients on ropinirole extended-release tablets compared with 5% of 40 patients on placebo [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The frequency of reported somnolence was not dose-related.

It has been reported that falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in a setting of pre-existing somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness, especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. 

Before initiating treatment with ropinirole extended-release tablets, patients should be advised of the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically asked about factors that may increase the risk with ropinirole extended-release tablets such as concomitant sedating medications or alcohol, the presence of sleep disorders, and concomitant medications that increase ropinirole plasma levels (e.g., ciprofloxacin) [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. If a patient develops significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., driving a motor vehicle, conversations, eating), ropinirole extended-release tablets should ordinarily be discontinued [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. If a decision is made to continue ropinirole extended-release tablets, patients should be advised to not drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living.