79 ISSN 1758-2024 10.2217/NMT.11.7 © 2011 Future Medicine Ltd Neurodegen. Dis. Manage. (2011) 1(1), 79–86 SUMMARY Ropinirole, a nonergoline dopamine agonist, has been used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for more than 10 years. Owing to its moderate elimination half-life, the immediate-release formulation is administered three-times daily. Now, a prolonged-release form is also available, and despite administration in the morning, plasma level fuctuations are reduced over 24 h versus the immediate-release formulation, allowing for symptomatic treatment for the entire day with once-daily dosing. The prolonged-release formulation can be up-titrated more rapidly and simply, reaching clinical efcacy as early as the second week of therapy. In clinical studies, higher doses of ropinirole were achieved with the prolonged-release formulation compared with the immediate-release formulation. The results of a randomized, double-blind, head-to-head study of both formulations in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease demonstrated signifcantly greater efcacy and a larger levodopa dose reduction for the prolonged-release formulation. A positive efect on night-time motor symptoms and quality of sleep has been established. Due to once-daily administration, compliance and adherence may also be improved. 1 Department of Neurology, Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Wiesbaden, Germany † Author for correspondence: University of Technology, Department of Neurology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Tel.: +49 351 458 3565; Fax: +49 351 458 4365; heinz.reichmann@uniklinikum-dresden.de  Immediate-release ropinirole and prolonged-release formulation only vary in releasing the active agent from the tablet.  The half-life of the agent is the same, but the continuous release from the tablet results in an overall prolonged plasma half-life.  Prolonged-release ropinirole can be used in both early and late Parkinson’s disease.  Reduction of plasma peaks might even result in decreased side efects.  The once-daily application improves compliance and ameliorates disease control.  The prolonged-release formulation can be up-titrated more rapidly and simply. Practice Points Clinical data on the prolonged-release formulation of ropinirole for Parkinson’s disease REVIEW Heinz Reichmann † & Wolfgang H Jost 1 Ropinirole, a nonergoline dopamine agonist, was introduced in most countries more than 10 years ago to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and has proven to be beneficial to patients in all stages of the disease. Since this time, many studies involving ropinirole have been conducted, including clinical studies with up to 10 years of follow-up [1] . Since 2008, ropinirole For reprint orders, please contact: reprints@futuremedicine.com