[The use of ropinirol ++ as a treatment for restless leg syndrome]

Restless legs is an unpleasant sensation in the calves that occurs when the individual is sitting or laying down, with an irresistible urge to move the legs. It has been know as a cause of insomnia. We have been using various drugs with a variety of effectiveness. Levodopa is now considered the drug of choice but drug tolerance is likely to develop the risk of drug dependence. Recently, a new drug was developed by Smithkline Beecham called ropinirol which principal indication is the treatment of initial phase of Parkinson's disease.

Base on the idea of the efficacy de la levodopa in patients with restless legs we administered 0.25 mg of ropinirol at bedtime to 15 of our patients diagnosed with restless legs syndrome. None of them had received positive results using the classic treatments during more than five years since they had developed this syndrome. Before the treatment was begun, we discontinued any medications relating to this illness.

Beneficial effects were observed after the first administration and has continued until this time, 12 months after the initial treatment. Efficacy was measure by using sleep questionnaires (Spiegel). With only a pill (0.25 mg) at the moment of laying down at bedtime reports a clear improvement in the symptoms, including reducing the periodic leg movements.

That improvements continue without any secondary side effects and without appearing to have built up any tolerance for the medication. Further research is needed to investigate the long term efficacy and side effects of this new treatment, but at this moment is a valuable and satisfactory tool to treat restless legs syndromes.