Abstract
Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological condition affecting a substantial portion of the population. It can be an idiopathic disorder, or one that is secondary to another cause. Given that the underlying pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome is not well understood, several drug classes have been studied for symptom control. While dopamine agonists have long been the mainstay of first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome, recently, the α2δ ligands have been increasingly used. These agents have proven both efficacious and safe in a number of clinical trials. Additionally, compared with the dopamine agonists, they have been associated with less augmentation, a phenomenon whereby symptoms emerge earlier in the day, become more severe, and may spread to areas of the body previously unaffected. Newer clinical guidelines for restless legs syndrome are increasingly recommending the α2δ ligands as a logical first-choice medication for patients needing drug therapy for symptom control.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-159 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | CNS Drugs |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 1 2018 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)
Cite this
Use of α2δ Ligands for Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease. / Faulkner, Michele A.
In: CNS Drugs, Vol. 32, No. 2, 01.02.2018, p. 149-159.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Use of α2δ Ligands for Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease
AU - Faulkner, Michele A.
PY - 2018/2/1
Y1 - 2018/2/1
N2 - Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological condition affecting a substantial portion of the population. It can be an idiopathic disorder, or one that is secondary to another cause. Given that the underlying pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome is not well understood, several drug classes have been studied for symptom control. While dopamine agonists have long been the mainstay of first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome, recently, the α2δ ligands have been increasingly used. These agents have proven both efficacious and safe in a number of clinical trials. Additionally, compared with the dopamine agonists, they have been associated with less augmentation, a phenomenon whereby symptoms emerge earlier in the day, become more severe, and may spread to areas of the body previously unaffected. Newer clinical guidelines for restless legs syndrome are increasingly recommending the α2δ ligands as a logical first-choice medication for patients needing drug therapy for symptom control.
AB - Restless legs syndrome is a common neurological condition affecting a substantial portion of the population. It can be an idiopathic disorder, or one that is secondary to another cause. Given that the underlying pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome is not well understood, several drug classes have been studied for symptom control. While dopamine agonists have long been the mainstay of first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome, recently, the α2δ ligands have been increasingly used. These agents have proven both efficacious and safe in a number of clinical trials. Additionally, compared with the dopamine agonists, they have been associated with less augmentation, a phenomenon whereby symptoms emerge earlier in the day, become more severe, and may spread to areas of the body previously unaffected. Newer clinical guidelines for restless legs syndrome are increasingly recommending the α2δ ligands as a logical first-choice medication for patients needing drug therapy for symptom control.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85042540227&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s40263-018-0502-z
DO - 10.1007/s40263-018-0502-z
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29480463
AN - SCOPUS:85042540227
VL - 32
SP - 149
EP - 159
JO - CNS Drugs
JF - CNS Drugs
SN - 1172-7047
IS - 2
ER -