Sunday April 2, 2006
Restless Legs syndrome
Every now and then, intensivists receive calls regarding issues which are usually not expected from critical care unit. One such instance is Restless legs syndrome. Various pharmacological agents have been described and used with success including benzodiazepines, carbamazepine and clonidine.
In ICU situation, one useful drug in this regard is Ropinirole which is a Dopamine agonist. One of the effect of Ropinirole is heavy sleepiness, which can be use as benefit in ICU. Dose can be initiated from .25 mg PO QHS upto 4 mg PO QHS.
References: (click to get abstract)
1. Restless Legs Syndrome: Detection and Management in Primary Care - NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE WORKING GROUP ON RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME - Vol. 62/No. 1 (July 1, 2000) - American Family Physician.
2. Ropinirole is effective in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. TREAT RLS 2: a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study - Mov Disord. 2004 Dec;19(12):1414-23.
