Abstract
Rotigotine is a nonergot D3, D2 and D1 dopamine agonist that is currently approved for use in Parkinson’s disease and is awaiting approval for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Europe. In the USA, it is currently approved for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson’s disease, but not for RLS patients. Oral dopaminergic agents are considered first-line for the treatment of RLS, but may not benefit all patients. Transdermally administered rotigotine delivers medication continuously, which may benefit patients with more severe RLS symptoms that persist or fluctuate throughout the day. It may also benefit patients with gastrointestinal problems or difficulty swallowing. Future research may further define the benefits of minimizing pulsatile stimulation of dopamine receptors. Several studies support the efficacy and tolerability of rotigotine in RLS patients. After treatment with rotigotine, patients had improved International RLS scores compared with placebo. Side effects reported were generally not serious and included application site reaction, nausea, somnolence, dizziness, headache, vomiting and insomnia. The well-known effectiveness and tolerability of dopaminergics, combined with a new pharmaceutical form, represents a promising treatment option for patients with RLS.
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