Acute drug-induced symptoms of restless legs syndrome in an emergency department

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome is a chronic disorder that is characterized by an urge to move the legs and unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities. Its symptoms develop slowly and a sudden onset is very unusual, which may be confusing for the emergency physician. We describe a case of an abrupt presentation of restless legs syndrome symptoms induced by infusion of metoclopramide during treatment of a migraine attack in settings of an emergency department. The patient shortly after infusion of metoclopramide started to experience rapid movements of the legs, claiming that it was the only way to relieve extremely unpleasant sensations in her legs. The symptoms subsided after saline infusion and did not appear again.