Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of ropinirole in parkinsonian patients

Aims Ropinirole is a specific non-ergoline dopamine D-2-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 C-max was lower in the 'fed' regimen than in the 'fasted' one (-25%, P=0.002). The median t(max) 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 fate of absorption of ropinirole, but has little effect on the extent of absorption.