What is Neupro Patch?

Neupro Patch also known as Rotigotine is used alone or with other medications to treat Parkinson's disease. It can improve your ability to move and decrease shakiness (tremor), stiffness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. Rotigotine is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS). Rotigotine is a dopamine agonist that works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (dopamine) in the brain.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using rotigotine and each time you get a refill. Learn how to use this patch properly. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not open the sealed pouch until ready to use. Do not cut the patch or use the patch if it appears broken, cut, or damaged. Open the pouch and remove the patch. Peel off the backing from the patch as directed and apply the patch to a clean, dry, and hairless area of the skin on the front of the abdomen, thigh, hip, side of the lower back (flank), shoulder, or upper arm. Press the patch firmly in place for about 30 seconds to make sure it stays on. Do not apply the patch on oily, broken, or irritated skin. Do not use creams, lotions, ointments, oils, or powders on skin where you are applying the patch. Avoid applying the patch to areas of the skin where it might be easily rubbed off (such as on skin folds or under tight clothing). If applying to a hairy area, shave the area at least 3 days before applying the patch. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the patch. Do not touch your eyes or other objects until your hands are washed.

The patch is usually worn for 1 day and replaced. Apply the patch to a different area on your body each time to avoid irritation. Wait at least 14 days before applying the patch to the same area. If the patch irritates the skin, protect the area from direct sunlight until the skin is completely healed. Sunlight may cause the irritated skin to change color.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects (such as nausea, dizziness), your doctor may direct you to start at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, change your patch at the same time each day.

To prevent the patch from coming off, use care while showering, bathing, and exercising. If the edges of the patch start to loosen, you may tape it in place with bandage tape. If the patch falls off, apply a new patch to a different area, and change the patch at your usual time the next day.

When changing your patch, carefully remove the old patch, fold it in half with the sticky side together, and throw it away in the trash away from children and pets. Do not touch the sticky side with your fingers. Wash the application area with soap and water. Use baby oil or mineral oil to remove any leftover stickiness. Do not use solvents such as alcohol or nail polish remover. Always wash your hands after handling the patch, being careful not to touch your eyes or other objects until after you have washed your hands.

Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Rarely, a serious reaction (such as fever, muscle stiffness, confusion) may occur if you suddenly stop using this drug. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Before using rotigotine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sulfites), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy), low/high blood pressure, heart disease (such as heart failure), kidney disease, mental/mood disorders (such as schizophrenia).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

While wearing your patch, avoid exposing it to direct heat (such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds, or prolonged direct sunlight). Heat may cause more drug to be released into your body, increasing the risk of side effects.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

If you are going to have an MRI test or cardioversion, tell the health care provider that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI or cardioversion. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the procedure and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations)

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. This drug may reduce the amount of breast milk you make. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, headache, or redness/itching/swelling at the application site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as confusion, agitation, depression, hallucinations), severe dizziness, fainting, unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges), swelling ankles/feet, unusual weight gain, fast heartbeat, new or worsening uncontrolled movements.

Some people using rotigotine have fallen asleep suddenly during their usual daily activities (such as talking on the phone, driving). In some cases, sleep occurred without any feelings of drowsiness beforehand. This sleep effect may occur anytime during treatment with rotigotine even if you have used this medication for a long time. If you experience increased sleepiness or fall asleep during the day, do not drive or take part in other possibly dangerous activities until you have discussed this effect with your doctor. Your risk of this sleep effect is increased by using alcohol or other medications that can make you drowsy. See also Precautions section.

This medication may increase or decrease your blood pressure. You may develop a sudden drop in blood pressure that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating, and fainting. This is more likely when you first start the medication, when your dose is increased, or when you get up suddenly. To reduce your risk, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Talk to your doctor if you need to check your blood pressure while using this medication.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What happens if I miss a dose?
If you forget to change a patch on your scheduled day, remove and replace the patch as soon as you remember. Wear the new patch until your next regular patch-changing time. Do not change your schedule, even if you wear the new patch for less than 24 hours.

What should I avoid while using Neupro?
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can increase side effects.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid applying a patch to skin that is irritated, or to skin where you have applied lotion, oil, cream, ointment, or powder.

Do not expose the skin patch to heat while you are wearing it. This includes a hot tub, heating pad, sauna, or heated water bed. Heat can increase the amount of drug absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.