The acute effect of a low dosage of pramipexole on severe idiopathic restless legs syndrome: An open-label trial

Background: Pramipexole is a D3 dopaminergic agonist that has shown a major effect on both sensory and motor manifestations of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in long-term trials. No data regarding the acute effect of low doses of pramipexole have been reported. Objective: To evaluate the acute effect of a low dosage of pramipexole (0.125 mg) on sensory symptoms and motor signs of RLS and on the macro- and microstructure of sleep. Methods: We initially recruited 13 patients affected by severe idiopathic RLS and included 10 of them in our study. For 2 consecutive nights the selected patients were evaluated. Pramipexole 0.125 mg was administered before the second night at 9: 00 p. m. A visual analog scale was used to assess the sensory symptoms of RLS. The motor manifestations of RLS and the architecture of sleep were analyzed by polysomnography. Results: After the acute administration of pramipexole, we observed a significant improvement of the sensory symptoms and motor signs of RLS. Several sleep macrostructure and microstructure parameters improved as well. Conclusions: Our results suggest that low doses of pramipexole are effective in reducing sensory symptoms and motor signs of RLS, even after the first administration. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.