How are PLMD and RLS treated?
There is insufficient evidence at present to evaluate the use of pharmacologic therapy in patients diagnosed with PLMD alone.
However, there are several studies that have demonstrated a decrease in abnormal limb movements in the setting of RLS and PLMD.
The standard medications for RLS include pramipexole and ropinirole. Medications reported to be beneficial include dopaminergics (e.g., l -DOPA, bromocriptine), opioids, gabapentin, pregabalin, carbamazepine, and clonidine.
Supplemental iron may be used to treat RLS patients with low ferritin levels. It is important to identify medications or other factors that could aggravate RLS and PLMD.
For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, metoclopramide, diphenhydramine, sleep deprivation, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol have all been shown to either promote or aggravate RLS and PLMD.
There are no approved medications for the pediatric population.
However, off-label use of certain medications such as gabapentin have been used to treat RLS in children.
