Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of ropinirole in parkinsonian patients.

Author(s): Brefel C, Thalamas C, Rayet S, Lopez-Gil A, Fitzpatrick K, Bullman S, Citerone DR, Taylor AC, Montastruc JL, Rascol O

Affiliation(s): Service de Pharmacologie Medicale et Clinique, INSERM U 455 et U 317, Faculte de Medecine, Toulouse, France.

Publication date & source: 1998-04, Br J Clin Pharmacol., 45(4):412-5.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

AIMS: Ropinirole is a specific non-ergoline dopamine D2-receptor agonist with antiparkinsonian properties.The pharmacokinetic parameters of ropinirole taken in the fasted condition were compared with those when it was co-administered with food. METHODS: This was an open, randomized, two sessions cross over study in 12 patients with Parkinson's disease, comparing the steady-state pharmacokinetic profiles of ropinirole on two different study days: 'fasted' and 'fed'. RESULTS: The mean Cmax was lower in the 'fed' regimen than in the 'fasted' one (-25%, P=0.002). The median tmax was observed 2.6 h later in the 'fed' regimen than in the 'fasted' regimen (P<0.05). There was a slight but significant decrease in AUC(0,8 h) in the 'fed' regimen (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Food decreases the rate of absorption of ropinirole, but has little effect on the extent of absorption.