Neupro Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that’s usually diagnosed in people over 60. Initial symptoms include stiffness, slowness, and impaired balance. Over time, patients experience debilitating symptoms like dementia, tremors, and the progressive deterioration of motor functions.

Neupro Active Ingredient

Exelon contains the active ingredient rotigotine, which belongs to a class of drugs known as dopamine receptor agonists. Like other medications in the same class, rotigotine helps to restore the balance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.

Generic Neupro Alternative 

Generic alternatives to Neupro are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Neupro and What Is It Used For?

Neupro is prescribed to patients with Parkinson’s disease, either alone or with other medications. While there is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, Neupro can help to alleviate certain symptoms of the disease, like tremors, stiffness, unsteadiness, and slowed movement. Treatment with Neupro also may help improve patient’s mobility.

Usage and Application

Before buying Neupro online, please read the medication guide provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Ensure that you know how to apply Neupro patch properly. If you have any questions, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Neupro should be applied to the skin as directed by the treating physician, typically once a day. Patches are replaced after 24 hours.

Do not open a sealed patch until ready for use. Do not cut a patch or use one that appears to be broken, cut, or damaged.

Applying Neupro Patch

Remove the patch from the packet and peel the backing off as directed. Apply the patch on a clean, dry, hairless area on the thigh, hip, shoulder, or upper arm. The front of the abdomen and the side of the lower back are also suitable options. Once the patch is applied, press firmly in place for about 30 seconds to ensure it stays on.

After handling a patch, patients must wash hands with soap and water. Do not touch your eyes or other objects until after your hands are washed.

Patients should not use creams, lotions, ointments, oils, or powders on the skin where they are applying the patch. Do not apply the patch on oily, broken, or irritated skin. The patch is likely to come off easily when applied to skin folds or skin areas under tight clothing. If applying to a hairy area, shave the area at least three days before use.

Patches are usually replaced after a day of use. To avoid irritation, apply the patch to a different area on the body. Wait at least 14 days before applying the patch to the same area. Should skin irritation occur, protect the area from direct sunlight until the skin is completely healed. Exposure to sunlight may cause the irritated skin to change color.

To prevent the patch from falling off, use care while showering, bathing, and exercising. Should the edges of the patch start to loosen, tape it in place with bandage tape. If the patch falls off, apply a new patch to a different area. The following day, replace the patch with a new one at your usual scheduled time.

Replacing Neupro Patch

Patches are normally replaced every 24 hours. When changing one, carefully remove the old patch and fold it in half with the sticky sides glued together. When discarding it, make sure it will be inaccessible to children or pets.

After removing a patch, wash the application area with soap and water. Leftover stickiness may be removed with baby oil or mineral oil. Do not use solvents such as alcohol or nail polish remover.

Patients (or their caregivers) should never touch the sticky side of a patch with their fingers. Always wash your hands after handling a patch. Do not to touch your eyes or other objects until washing your hands.

Patients should use Neupro regularly to get the most benefit from it. To prevent forgetting, the patch is best applied at the same time each day.

Neupro patch is available in different strengths. Dosage is based on a patient’s medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce the risk of side effects like nausea and dizziness, some patients may be directed to start treatment at a low dose and increase it gradually. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions carefully.

Patients should not stop using Neupro without consulting their doctor first. In rare cases, patients who suddenly stop using Neupro may experience serious reactions, manifesting in symptoms like fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion.

To prevent such symptoms, patients who wish to stop this medication are usually directed to reduce their dose gradually. Consult your doctor for further details.

Patients should alert their doctor in the event their condition worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Neupro

Before starting treatment, patients should discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Neupro.

The treating physician should be aware of the patient’s medical history, especially related to asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, and high/low blood pressure. Sleep disorders like narcolepsy and sleep apnea – as well as mental disorders like schizophrenia – should also be reported.

Neupro may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Alcohol or marijuana can exacerbate this effect. Patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring alertness until they can do so safely. Limit alcoholic beverages and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.

Being exposed to direct heat may cause the medication to release all at once, producing negative side effects. Avoid exposure to prolonged direct sunlight. It is not recommended to use heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, or heated waterbeds. Avoid saunas and hot tubs.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

Before an MRI test or cardioversion, patients must alert laboratory personnel that they use Neupro. Some patches may contain metals, which can cause serious burning during these procedures. Patients should speak with their doctor about whether to remove their patch before the test and apply a new one afterward.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Neupro, especially mental changes like hallucinations.

Neupro should only be used when clearly needed during pregnancy. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor.

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers should consult their physician before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who forget to change their patch should do so as soon as they remember. Replace the patch at the scheduled time the following day. Never wear two patches at the same time.

Other Medications and Neupro

Drug interactions may change the way Neupro works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss all medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dosage or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Neupro may cause drowsiness. Patients should alert their doctor or pharmacist if they use other products with the same effect, like alcohol or marijuana.

Antihistamines (e.g. Zyrtec, Benadryl), and drugs for sleep or anxiety (e.g. alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem) may also cause drowsiness. Muscle relaxants and narcotic pain relievers like codeine have the same effect.

Patients should check all medicine labels for ingredients that can cause drowsiness. Pay particular attention to allergy and cough-and-cold products. Ask your pharmacist about using those drugs safely.

Adverse Reactions

Most patients are able to use Neupro without serious side effects.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, tiredness.

It is possible to experience headaches, trouble sleeping, and increased sweating. Some patients may develop skin irritation at the application site. Patients should contact their doctor if these conditions persist or worsen.

Serious side effects include confusion, agitation, depression, and hallucinations. Severe dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, weight gain, and swelling of the ankles and/or feet are rare but possible. The list also includes new or worsening uncontrolled movement, as well as unusual strong urges (e.g. gambling, increased sexual urges).

Some people using Neupro have fallen asleep suddenly during daily activities (e.g. talking on the phone, driving). This side effect may occur without any feelings of sleepiness beforehand. Patients may have such an episode at any time during treatment with Neupro, even if they have used it for an extended period of time.

Those who experience increased sleepiness during the day should not drive or perform other possibly dangerous activities until they have discussed the side effects with their doctor. The risk of sleepiness increases when patients use alcohol or other medications that cause drowsiness.

Neupro may cause sudden changes in blood pressure. Some patients may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure, manifesting in symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating, and fainting. To reduce the risk of falling or fainting, patients should get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Serious allergic reactions to Neupro are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling (tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Neupro

Neupro patches should be stored in their original pouch at room temperature. Keep the patch in the pouch until you are ready to use it. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should never be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.