Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  2010 Jun;17(1):5-10.

Restless Leg Syndrome and Psychotropic Drug

• Woo J
• Chang S

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder that is characterized by an urge to move the legs and peculiar, unpleasant sensations deep in the legs and its prevalence in the general population is between 3.2% and 15%. RLS significantly impairs patients' lives, often by severely disrupting sleep. However, both clinicians and patients under-recognize the RLS. RLS phenotypes include an idiopathic form and secondary form that is usually resulted from various causative conditions. The pathophysiology of RLS may be related with the dopaminergic system, which is closely linked to a number of psychotropic medications, including antidepressant and antipsychotics. Several antidepressants and antipsychotics have been shown to induce or exacerbate RLS. We need pay attention to the fact that commonly prescribed medications can be the cause of RLS.

Keyword

Restless legs syndrome; Psychotropic medication; Antidepressant; Antipsychotics

MeSH Terms

Antidepressive Agents
Antipsychotic Agents
Humans
Leg
Phenotype
Prevalence
Restless Legs Syndrome
Sensation
Antidepressive Agents
Antipsychotic Agents