Opioids for Restless Legs Syndrome

Should we give opioids for RLS when conventional dopaminergics fail?

Evidence has been lacking to support opioid-based therapy when dopaminergics fail to control restless legs syndrome (RLS). This study was a 55-center, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 40-week open-label extension. RLS was required to be present for at least 6 months with an International RLS Study Group severity rating scale score of 15. Active treatment was oxycodone (5 mg) plus naloxone (2.5 mg) administered twice daily and titrated to maximums of 40-mg oxycodone and 20-mg naloxone twice daily. The primary outcome variable was mean change in the total score on the International RLS Study Group severity rating scale at 12 weeks. Of 306 patients randomized, 276 were included in the primary analysis (132 ass…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)