Pregabalin in restless legs syndrome with and without neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder complicated in many patients by augmentation to dopaminergic therapy or comorbidities such as neuropathic pain.

AIMS

To explore the effectiveness of pregabalin in RLS in a pragmatic clinical setting.

METHODS

After observing improvement of restless legs symptoms in seven patients treated with pregabalin for neuropathic pain, we extended the clinical observation to a total of 16 patients with secondary RLS, in most of them due to neuropathy, and to three patients with idiopathic RLS.

RESULTS

Three patients discontinued pregabalin because of side effects (rash, fatigue, loss of efficacy). The other 16 patients self-rated a satisfactory or good alleviation of RLS symptoms and maintained pregabalin, five with add-on medication, on a mean daily dose of 305 mg (standard deviation, 185 mg), and with a mean duration of 217 (standard deviation, 183) days.

CONCLUSION

These data propose pregabalin as a new option in the treatment of secondary RLS for patients with neuropathic pain, which should be further investigated with randomized, placebo-controlled trials.