Table 4 Overview of treatments
From: Algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of restless legs syndrome in primary care
Drug | Starting dose and maximum recommended dosage | Time to full effective therapeutic dose | Half-life | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Levodopa | 50 mg 200 mg | At first dose | 1.5-2 hours | Augmentation Rebound |
Ropinirole | 0.25 mg 4 mg | 4-10 days | 6 hours | Nausea, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nasal congestion |
Pramipexole | 0.125 mg 0.54 mg | At first dose | 8-12 hours | Nausea, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nasal congestion |
Rotigotine | 1-3 mg patches | 1 week | 5-7 hours | Skin irritation, nausea, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nasal congestion |
Pregabalin | 25-300 mg | 3-6 days | 10 hrs | Sleepiness, dizziness, headache, fluid retention |
Clonazepam | 0.50 mg 2.0 mg | First dose: effect mainly on sleep | 30-40 hours | Sleepiness, dizziness, morning drug hangover |
Gabapentin | 300 mg 2700 mg | 3-6 days | 5-7 hours | Sleepiness, dizziness, fluid retention |