title: Gabapentin treatment in clozapine-induced restless legs syndrome: two cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neuro-sensorimotor disorder affecting 2-4% of adults. It is characterized by intense urges to move the legs, associated with unpleasant sensory disturbances in the legs occurring at rest and manifests mostly in the evening and night, relieved by movement. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical presentation and the consensus criteria for the diagnosis have been established. Antipsychotics, the dopamine antagonists, have been reported to induce RLS. Dopamine agonists, the effective first-line treatment of RLS, carry the risk of inducing or worsening psychosis. Many nondopaminergic agents including antiepileptic medications have also been used in the treatment of primary RLS. In this report we describe clozapine-induced RLS in two patients with schizophrenia and its successful treatment with gabapentin, a nondopaminergic agent. In addition, we have reviewed the available literature on clozapine-induced RLS and its management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, New Kabini Hostel Complex, Hosur road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560029, India.
authors.forename: Vijaya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: The Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Ganesan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venkatasubramanian
keywords: antipsychotics; clozapine; gabapentin; restless legs syndrome