Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients suffer from symptoms not only at bedtime but also with variable circadian patterns. Transdermal application forms of dopamine agonists are expected to lead to a stable plasma concentration of the active drug which could ease treatment for RLS patients with daytime symptoms and avoid side effects of oral dopaminergic therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this controlled pilot study, 10 patients (six females, four males, mean age 58 years) with severe and long-lasting idiopathic RLS were treated during an initial open-label phase for 2 weeks either with one (n=3 patients) or, if required, two patches of lisuride every other day (dose per patch: 3mg lisuride, nominal effective release rate 7.0 microg lisuride/h). Patients were then randomized to double-blind treatment with lisuride (n=5) or placebo (n=4) for 1 week. RESULTS: Severity of RLS clearly improved during open-label and double-blind treatment with lisuride but became worse under placebo according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS), RLS-6, and Clinical Global Impressions (CGIs) scales, and actigraphy assessments (periodic leg movement index) in the 1-week double-blind period. CONCLUSION: The explorative findings of this small controlled study suggest that lisuride patches might be an efficacious treatment for RLS patients without clinically relevant tolerability problems.
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Authors | Heike Benes |
Journal | Sleep medicine
(Sleep Med)
Vol. 7
Issue 1
Pg. 31-5
(Jan 2006)
ISSN: 1389-9457 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 16194624
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Administration, Cutaneous
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Lisuride
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polysomnography
- Restless Legs Syndrome
(diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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