title: Restless legs syndrome induced by citalopram: a psychiatric emergency?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this case report is to create awareness on restless legs syndrome (RLS) among clinicians working in emergency units.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a case reporting important aggravation of RLS associated with citalopram, 60 mg/day, in a 48-year-old woman who was sent to the emergency unit by her general practitioner. Citalopram was replaced by bupropion, 150 mg/day, and sertraline, 50 mg/day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three days later, symptoms of RLS started to diminish and, after 3 weeks, clinical symptoms had disappeared entirely. On 6-month follow-up, the patient did not manifest clinically significant RLS. Ignoring RLS could lead to a worsening of symptoms and could increase the risk for iatrogenic conditions. The prevalence of RLS in the general population is 3-9%; nevertheless, this syndrome is frequently underdiagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report suggests that RLS could be considered as a possible "dopamine-dependent side effect" of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Bupropion could potentially "correct" dopaminergic dysfunction in RLS, and sertraline appears to be the SSRI that provides the least risk of RLS by blocking dopamine reuptake.
authors.affiliation: Service d'accueil, d'urgence et de liaison psychiatrique, Universitary Hospital Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perroud
authors.forename: Perroud
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lazignac
authors.forename: Lazignac
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coralie
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baleydier
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cicotti
authors.forename: Cicotti
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andrei
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maris
authors.forename: Maris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Susanne
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damsa
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D016642:Bupropion; D015283:Citalopram