Drug Option May Help Restless Legs

A new study finds that a drug less commonly used for restless legs syndrome may work just as well as the standard treatment. It also may help prevent a common side effect of treatment, the study found. People with restless legs syndrome have a variety of uncomfortable sensations in their legs. They feel an uncontrollable urge to move their legs. This often disturbs sleep. The new study included 720 people with moderate to severe restless legs syndrome. They were randomly divided into groups. The groups received the standard treatment pramipexole (Mirapex), pregabalin (Lyrica) or placebo (fake pills). After 12 weeks of treatment, pregabalin improved symptoms as well as pramipexole. During up to a year of treatment, people taking pregabalin also were less likely to have their symptoms get worse. About 2% had this problem, compared with 8% of those taking pramipexole.