Can I take ropinirole while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about ropinirole.
In short
Pregnancy: Ropinirole is not often used in pregnancy, because little is known about how it may affect your baby.
Breastfeeding: Ropinirole is not often used during breastfeeding, and how much of it gets into breast milk is not known.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- Even so, if your doctor thinks the benefits outweigh any risks, they may advise you to take it.
- If you become pregnant while on ropinirole, speak to your doctor as soon as you can.
Breastfeeding
- Ropinirole may be an option while breastfeeding if your baby is healthy, but usually only after advice from a specialist.
- Ropinirole may lower the amount of milk you produce, although this is less likely once breastfeeding is well established.
- This might make breastfeeding harder.
- It's important to keep an eye on your baby while you take any medicine and breastfeed.
- Carry on breastfeeding as normal until you've had advice about your baby's symptoms.
When to get help
- If your baby has any symptoms, or you're worried about them, you can call 111 (in the UK) or contact any healthcare professional.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
This page is educational, not advice for your own situation. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The details: what each source says
Ropinirole in pregnancy
The NHS says
Ropinirole is not often used in pregnancy, because little is known about how it may affect your baby. Even so, if your doctor thinks the benefits outweigh any risks, they may advise you to take it.
If you become pregnant while on ropinirole, speak to your doctor as soon as you can.
In our words, from the NHS page Ropinirole (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
The US drug label says
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of ropinirole extended-release tablets in pregnant women. In animal studies, ropinirole had adverse effects on development when administered to pregnant rats at doses similar to (neurobehavioral impairment) or greater than (teratogenicity and embryolethality at >36 times) the MRHD for Parkinson’s disease. Ropinirole doses associated with teratogenicity and embryolethality in pregnant rats were associated with maternal toxicity. In pregnant rabbits, ropinirole potentiated the teratogenic effects of L-dopa when these drugs were administered in combination [see Data] . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated populations is unknown.
Prescribing label, section “8.1 Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Ropinirole (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
Ropinirole while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Ropinirole is not often used during breastfeeding, and how much of it gets into breast milk is not known.
Ropinirole may be an option while breastfeeding if your baby is healthy, but usually only after advice from a specialist.
Ropinirole may lower the amount of milk you produce, although this is less likely once breastfeeding is well established. This might make breastfeeding harder.
It's important to keep an eye on your baby while you take any medicine and breastfeed.
If your baby has any symptoms, or you're worried about them, you can call 111 (in the UK) or contact any healthcare professional.
Carry on breastfeeding as normal until you've had advice about your baby's symptoms.
In our words, from the NHS page Ropinirole (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
LactMed says
No information is available on the use of ropinirole during breastfeeding, but it suppresses serum prolactin and may interfere with breastfeeding. An alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Ropinirole” (LM628), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Ropinirole while breastfeeding.
What these words mean
- metabolite
- a substance made when the body breaks down a medicine
Definitions adapted from the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute).
The US prescribing label says
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ropinirole in human milk, the effects of ropinirole on the breastfed infant, or the effects of ropinirole on milk production. However, inhibition of lactation is expected because ropinirole inhibits secretion of prolactin in humans. Ropinirole or metabolites, or both, are present in rat milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ropinirole extended-release tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ropinirole or from the underlying maternal condition.
Prescribing label, section “8.2 Lactation”: Ropinirole (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
Other names
UK brand names (per the NHS): Requip, Ipinnia, Repinex.
Sources
- NHS, Ropinirole (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 1 April 2025. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US drug label: Ropinirole (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack, human prescription drug, label effective 26 May 2026, set ID 518e7407-8ef2-4596-8218-c318b4fd7634. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Ropinirole” (LM628), bulk release of 22 September 2026. LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. Public domain; quoted verbatim. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.