Neuropsych Dis Treat
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable sensations in the legs. Symptoms are worse in the evening or at night than during the day and generally begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity. The chronic sleep disturbance often associated with RLS is likely due, at least in part, to the circadian nature of the symptoms. The relationship between disturbed sleep and reduced daytime functioning is well known and thus the accurate diagnosis and effective management of RLS is imperative.
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Dopaminergic agents, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, opiates, and iron supplementation comprise the classes of medications commonly used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is a disorder that is estimated to affect about 1 in 10 individuals worldwide and impacts an affected patient's sleep, mood, daytime function, and quality of life. RLS is characterized by an urge to move the legs that is worse at bedtime and at rest; the symptoms are temporarily relieved by leg movement. ⋯ Ropinirole (Requip((R)), GlaxoSmithKline) is a dopamine agonist that was the first medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary RLS. Based on several large-scale clinical trials and open-label clinical series, this medication has been demonstrated to be effective and safe in treating the motor symptoms of RLS and improving sleep quality.