Table 1.

Dopaminergic drugs for the treatment of RLS.

-	Longest Study Period (N)	Effective Daily Dose	Adverse Effects	Clinical Benefits	Mechanism of Action
Levodopa	30 weeks [7] (N=361)	<200 mg [6, 7]	Augmentation, symptom rebound in the early morning [36]	Improves nighttime RLS symptoms; reduces pain; well tolerated by controlling augmentation [7]	Unknown; may alter motor neuron excitability by reducing inhibition [43]
Dopamine agonists					Unknown; may counteract corticostriatal hypersensitivity or alter D2/3 receptor activation [42]
Pramipexole	52 weeks (N=719) [13]	0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg [8]	Augmentation, dizziness, somnolence, headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort [13]	Improves nighttime RLS symptoms and subjective nighttime sleep; pain reduction; well tolerated by controlling augmentation [13]	-
Ropinirole	26 weeks (N=404) [37]	0.78-4 mg [8]	Augmentation, nausea, dizziness, headache, daytime somnolence [37]	Improves nighttime RLS symptoms and subjective nighttime sleep; reduces pain; well tolerated by controlling augmentation [37]	-
Rotigotine	24 weeks (N=505) [38]	2-3 mg [8]	Skin reactions, nausea, augmentation [38]	Improve nighttime RLS symptoms and subjective nighttime sleep; reduces pain; well tolerated by controlling augmentation and skin reactions [38]	-