Drugs for primary (idiopathic) restless legs syndrome (RLS) (Formulary)

PRAMIPEXOLE

Important: Therapy notes

Important: Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Tablets 88 micrograms, 180 micrograms, 350 micrograms (s)

Dosage:

Initially 88 micrograms once daily 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, dose doubled every 7 days if necessary; maximum dose 540 micrograms daily.
Repeat dose titration if restarting treatment after an interval of more than a few days.

ROPINIROLE

Important: Therapy notes

MHRA advice: Drug-name confusion: reminder to be vigilant for potential errors (January 2018) (www.gov.uk).

Important: Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Tablets 250 micrograms, 500 micrograms, 1mg, 2mg (s)

Dosage:

Initially 250 micrograms at night for 7 days, increased if tolerated to 500 micrograms at night for 7 days and then to 1mg at night for 7 days; further increased at weekly intervals in steps of 500 micrograms daily according to response; usual dose 2mg at night; maximum dose 4mg daily.
Repeat dose titration if restarting treatment after an interval of more than a few days.

ROTIGOTINE

Important: Therapy notes

Important: Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Transdermal patches 1mg/24 hours, 2mg/24 hours, 3mg/24 hours (s)

Dosage:

Note: Rotigotine is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe idiopathic RLS in adults. It should only be used in patients with a baseline score of 15 points or more on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale.

RLS, initially apply 1mg/24 hours patch, increased in steps of 1mg/24 hours at weekly intervals if required; maximum 3mg/24 hours. 

Editorial Information

Document Id: F095