Pharmacotherapy of restless legs syndrome with pramipexole

Abstract

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common neurological diseases characterized by an urge to move the legs, often associated with unpleasant sensations relieved by movement. It is engendered by rest, and is worse in the evening or at night. Patients affected by severe RLS should be treated pharmacologically. Dopamine-agonists represent the first-line treatment for RLS symptoms. Pramipexole is a non-ergot derived dopamine agonist with a high selectivity for D2 and D3 receptors. At doses comprised between 0.125 and 0.75 mg, pramipexole improves subjective symptoms and objective signs of primary RLS even after the first administration. In addition, pramipexole seems to be safe and well tolerated. However, physicians should be aware that augmentation and compulsive behaviours might occur in their RLS patients treated with pramipexole. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of pramipexole in uremic RLS and in children affected by the sleep disorder. © the author(s), publisher and licensee Libertas Academica Ltd.