Related Experiment Videos
Restless legs syndrome probably induced by risperidone treatment.
T C Wetter1, J Brunner, T Bronisch
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany. wetter@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Pharmacopsychiatry
|July 11, 2002
Summary
Risperidone treatment may induce Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) symptoms, distinct from akathisia. Switching to quetiapine resolved RLS symptoms and improved sleep quality, confirmed by polysomnography.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Akathisia is a potential side effect of risperidone.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) shares features with akathisia but is a distinct disorder.
- Drug-induced RLS is recognized, affecting the central nervous system.
Observation:
- A patient with schizoaffective disorder developed RLS symptoms during risperidone treatment.
- Polysomnography confirmed sleep disturbances and periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS).
- Symptoms persisted after switching to haloperidol but resolved with quetiapine.
Findings:
- Risperidone can induce symptoms characteristic of RLS.
- Polysomnography can objectively confirm sleep disturbances and abnormal PLMS index.
- Quetiapine effectively resolved RLS symptoms and normalized sleep parameters.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider RLS in patients presenting with akathisia-like symptoms during risperidone therapy.
- Differentiating drug-induced RLS from akathisia is crucial for appropriate treatment.
- While not essential, polysomnography can aid in diagnosing drug-induced RLS.