Early Parkinson's Disease

During the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, patients may have mild symptoms or few physical problems, such as tremor or shakiness, slowed movement (bradykinesia), or stiffness (rigidity). These symptoms may be evident on one side of the body.

During this stage, patients may benefit by taking REQUIP as monotherapy (by itself.) In addition to helping improve symptoms, REQUIP as monotherapy may help delay or reduce the incidence of dyskinesia (abnormal, involuntary body movements that can appear as jerking, fidgeting, twisting, and/or turning movements). At any point in treatment, patients may need to supplement REQUIP with another medication.

Advanced Parkinson's Disease

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, patients may require substantial assistance. Symptoms (such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia) may be noticeable on both sides of the body and become more severe, with a significant loss of balance. In very advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease, patients may be restricted to a bed or wheelchair.

The progression of Parkinson’s disease—including the duration of each stage varies from person to person. Symptoms that develop during the course of the illness in one person may not be the same in another.