Dopaminergic Agents

Dopaminergic agents are often considered first-line therapies since they typically alleviate all major features associated with RLS including restlessness, abnormal sensations, involuntary movements, and associated sleep impairment. In fact, some physicians note that the effects of such medications are so specific that patients who do not have such a response to certain dopaminergic agents (i.e., carbidopa/levodopa) may have been misdiagnosed or have an associated condition that inhibits the drug's effectiveness.

Dopaminergic agents have an inhibitory effect on abnormal movements by enhancing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a naturally produced chemical that regulates the delivery of messages between nerve cells (neurons) in the central nervous system. Such medications include dopamine precursors and dopamine agonists.

	Dopamine Precursors