Rotigotine (Absorbed through the skin)

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using metoclopramide (Reglan®) or medicine to treat mental illness (such as haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, prochlorperazine, quetiapine, thioridazine, ziprasidone, Compazine®, Geodon®, Haldol®, Mellaril®, Orap®, Serentil®, or Seroquel®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease (such as congestive heart failure), blood vessel disease, edema, dyskinesia (abnormal muscle movements), high or low blood pressure, asthma, melanoma (a type of skin cancer), or a sleep disorder.
• This medicine contains sodium metabisulfite. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a sulfite allergy.
• The patch contains aluminum, which can cause skin burns when used during certain procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or cardioversion. To prevent skin burns, make sure the patch is removed before having these procedures.
• Heat may cause too much of the rotigotine to pass through your skin. Do not expose the patch to direct sources of heat, such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated water beds, or direct sunlight.
• If you develop a skin rash or irritation from the patch, do not expose the area to direct sunlight until it heals. Direct sunlight may cause your skin to change color.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up from a sitting or lying position suddenly, so stand up slowly.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• If you see snowflake-like crystals formed in the patches, do not use them and contact UCB medical information directly at 1-800-477-7877.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination.
• Changes in vision.
• Chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat.
• Convulsions (seizures).
• Headache, dizziness, or severe drowsiness.
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Skin rash, swelling, or redness where the patch is worn.
• Unusual behavior, mood changes, or seeing or hearing things that are not really there.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Muscle, joint, or back pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or upset stomach.
• Tiredness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Weight loss.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Rotigotine (roe-TIG-oh-teen)

Treats the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shaking, muscle stiffness, and slow movement. Transdermal products containing rotigotine (Neupro®) were withdrawn from the U.S. market by Schwarz Pharma on April 30, 2008.

Brand Name(s)

Neupro

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to. Try to change the patch at the same time each day.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
• The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one. Do not put a new patch in the same place for at least 14 days.
• Apply the patch to clean, dry skin that has very little hair or no hair. Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on skin folds, under a waistband, or on areas where it could be rubbed by tight clothing. If you need to put the patch on a hairy area, the area should be shaved at least 3 days before applying the patch.
• Do not put cream, lotion, ointment, oil, or powder on the skin area where the patch will be placed.
• Put on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.

If a dose is missed:

• If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.