Long-term effect of dopaminergic drugs in restless legs. A 2-year follow-up
C. von Scheele and V. Kempi
Department of Medicine, Sjukhuset, Ostersund, Sweden.
Thirty patients with restless legs syndrome, who initially had all
responded well to treatment with levodopa and benserazide, were studied as
to the long-term effect of the drugs (at least 2 years). During the 2-year
period, two patients were switched from levodopa to bromocriptine. Two
patients no longer needed levodopa; one of them had developed paraplegia
and in the other the symptoms of restless legs syndrome had disappeared
completely. The remaining 26 patients continued to use levodopa. Eight
patients maintained the original dose, nine had to use an increased dose,
and nine found a decreased dose to be sufficient. The only side effect was
transient nausea reported by two of the 30 patients. The study showed that
the relief of symptoms of restless legs syndrome by dopaminergic drugs does
not wear off with the passage of time, that side effects are minimal even
with long-term use, and that the dose needed to obtain relief may increase
as well as decrease.
