For those who experience the nagging symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease,treatmentwith a handful of dopamine medications can be a godsend. These medicines may include Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa), Mirapex (pramipexole), ropinirole, and Neupro (rotigotine patch).
Yet sometimes, these medications can cause a rebound phenomenon called augmentation, in which the symptoms become worse. What is an augmentation in RLS and how can it be addressed?
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Augmentation in Restless Legs Syndrome
Augmentation occurs when, after initiating treatment, the symptoms of restless legs syndrome happen earlier in the day, spread to other parts of the body (most commonly the arms), become more intense, and occur more quickly during periods of rest.
Augmentation most often occurs within six months of starting treatment or as medication doses are increased. Even if it is not present initially, it may develop later in the course of therapy.
Causes of and Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of augmentation is unknown, it frequently occurs as a side effect of medications that increase the neurotransmitter called dopamine. Research suggests that augmentation occurs in slightly more than 5% of people taking RLS medication experience a return of symptoms after a period of remission.
It often occurs with the use of levodopa. In fact, studies show that more than half of all people who experience augmentation were taking levodopa. Though less frequent, it may also occur less commonly with the following medications:
Fortunately, there is little evidence that medications that enhanceGABAare associated with augmentation. Therefore, these common medications may be a safe alternative if your symptoms are worsening:
Medications that act in different ways, includingbenzodiazepinesand narcotic or opioid medications are also unlikely to cause augmentation. These prescription medicines may similarly be used with intractable RLS symptoms that are not responding well to prior treatment.
How to Address Augmentation in RLS
If you experience augmentation, it is important to speak with your sleep specialist. In some cases, a worsening of RLS may be the underlying cause of increased symptoms. This may require changes in the overall medication regimen or the occasional use of medications for breakthrough symptoms.
Certain aggravating factors such as caffeine and alcohol use, other medications, lack of exercise, inadequate sleep and low iron levels should be evaluated and addressed.
The medication you are using may be worsening your symptoms. The more you take, the worse your symptoms will become. It may be necessary to decrease your medication dose, discontinue it entirely, or consider alternative treatments.
When dopamine medications are causing worsening symptoms, it may be necessary to take a break for a prolonged period. It is sometimes possible to revisit the use of the drug after taking a break.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Baylor Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome.Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.Managing Augmentation.Liu GJ, Wu L, Wang SL, et al.Incidence of augmentation in primary Rrstless legs syndrome patients may not be that high: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(2):e2504. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002504. Erratum in:Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(6):e4526.Garcia-Borreguero D, Silber MH, Winkelman JW, et al.Guidelines for the first-line treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, prevention and treatment of dopaminergic augmentation: a combined task force of the IRLSSG, EURLSSG, and the RLS-foundation.Sleep Med. 2016;21:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.017American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Restless Legs Syndrome.Additional Reading"Understanding Augmentation and RLS: A Guide to Help You Control and Manage Your RLS.“Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Baylor Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome.Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.Managing Augmentation.Liu GJ, Wu L, Wang SL, et al.Incidence of augmentation in primary Rrstless legs syndrome patients may not be that high: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(2):e2504. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002504. Erratum in:Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(6):e4526.Garcia-Borreguero D, Silber MH, Winkelman JW, et al.Guidelines for the first-line treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, prevention and treatment of dopaminergic augmentation: a combined task force of the IRLSSG, EURLSSG, and the RLS-foundation.Sleep Med. 2016;21:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.017American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Restless Legs Syndrome.Additional Reading"Understanding Augmentation and RLS: A Guide to Help You Control and Manage Your RLS.“Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Baylor Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome.Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.Managing Augmentation.Liu GJ, Wu L, Wang SL, et al.Incidence of augmentation in primary Rrstless legs syndrome patients may not be that high: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(2):e2504. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002504. Erratum in:Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(6):e4526.Garcia-Borreguero D, Silber MH, Winkelman JW, et al.Guidelines for the first-line treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, prevention and treatment of dopaminergic augmentation: a combined task force of the IRLSSG, EURLSSG, and the RLS-foundation.Sleep Med. 2016;21:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.017American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Restless Legs Syndrome.
Baylor Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome.
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.Managing Augmentation.
Liu GJ, Wu L, Wang SL, et al.Incidence of augmentation in primary Rrstless legs syndrome patients may not be that high: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(2):e2504. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002504. Erratum in:Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(6):e4526.
Garcia-Borreguero D, Silber MH, Winkelman JW, et al.Guidelines for the first-line treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, prevention and treatment of dopaminergic augmentation: a combined task force of the IRLSSG, EURLSSG, and the RLS-foundation.Sleep Med. 2016;21:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.017
American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Restless Legs Syndrome.
“Understanding Augmentation and RLS: A Guide to Help You Control and Manage Your RLS.“Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.
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