Neupro

What is Neupro?

Neupro is a ‘transdermal’ patch that’s applied once daily. A ‘transdermal’ treatment delivers the active ingredient through the skin. It contains rotigotine, a medicine that works like dopamine in your brain. This helps reduce the strong urge to move your legs, and can also improve sleep.^[1]

What is Neupro used for?

Neupro can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS)—a strong urge to move your legs, often due to strange or uncomfortable sensations like tingling or aching that usually gets worse at night.

There are two types of RLS:^[2]

• Primary RLS: when the causes are unknown, but may be linked to genes or low dopamine in the brain.
• Secondary RLS: when it’s caused by other health issues like iron deficiency anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Can Neupro patches be cut in half?

It’s not recommended to cut Neupro patches into smaller pieces, because it may make them less effective. Always use Neupro patches according to the instructions, and as directed by your prescriber.

How does Neupro work for restless leg syndrome?

Although it’s not fully known how Neupro works for RLS, it’s thought to mimic a chemical in your brain called dopamine, which plays a key role in controlling how your legs move.^[3]

While it’s not exactly known what causes RLS, one potential reason is a drop in dopamine levels. This can lead to muscle spasms and uncontrollable movements, especially at rest or during the evening, when dopamine activity naturally drops.

So by stimulating dopamine receptors, rotigotine, the active ingredient in Neupro, helps calm restless legs, relieve other RLS symptoms, and improve sleep. But it doesn’t cure the condition. So if you stop using the medicine without treating the underlying cause, the symptoms are likely to return.

How long does it take for Neupro to work for restless leg syndrome?

It may take a few weeks for Neupro to work for you, and to figure out your ideal dose. That’s because the most effective treatment approach usually begins with a low dose to allow your body to adjust and reduce side effects. Your doctor will then slowly raise the dose each week until they find the one that works best for you.

What doses of Neupro are there?

Neupro patches come in several doses: 1mg/24hr, 2mg/24hr, 3mg/24hr, 4mg/24hr, 6mg/24hr, 8mg/24hr, and 12mg/24hr. This means they release between 1mg and 12mg of rotigotine (the active ingredient) per day. Doses of 1-3mg/24hr are generally effective for RLS, but your doctor will likely tell you to start with a low dose and to increase this each week until it effectively controls your symptoms.^[4]

How to apply the Neupro patch

Apply Neupro patches exactly as your clinician has recommended. But typically, you’ll apply your Neupro patch once a day to clean, dry, hairless skin on areas like your abdomen, thigh, hip, or upper arm.

It’s pretty simple. Open the pouch, remove the protective liner, and press the patch firmly on your skin for 30 seconds to make sure it sticks well.

Since Neupro is absorbed through the skin, food doesn’t affect it, so you can apply it before or after meals. Try to apply it at the same time each day, whenever is most convenient for you.

Make sure to rotate the application site daily and avoid using the exact same spot for at least 14 days. But if you need to apply it to a hairy area, shave it at least three days beforehand.