[dopadoc]

Came across this thought provoking article on Big Pharma and offlabel uses of DA Agonists like ropinirole: IS RLS real or is it a contrived exaggerated disorder to allow cheaper FDA approval of DA agonist preparations that will then be subtly marketed for off-label use in PD without proper approval data on actual use in Parkinson's patients?

Open-mindedly seek opinions on this controversy.

Dopadoc

[Bob Dawson]

Is this the article you are referring to?
http://www.bnet.com/blog/drug-busine...e_skin;content

I think it exists, but I also think the drug companies do not know or care if it exists, what it is about, or what difference their latest pill will make.
In this case, they are hoping PWP will chase after their restless - legs drugs, off-label, with no valid research. These decisions are not made by scientists or doctors. It's the sales and marketing branch says to the production branch, "Can you come up with a pill that we will sell?"

[paula_w]

I very occasionally have had restless legs pre -parkinson from the time I was a kid. It is torturous in a way that is hard to explain. You almost have to get up and walk around in the middle of the night. I didn't have it often enough to think of it as a disease. But i know others who would call it a disease and are on mirapex, requip, even sinemet for it.

I really haven't answered the question; just assumed restless leg was related to pd somehow. I don't get it anymore so is it a precursor to pd (in some people?)

I know how it feels so don't begrudge them having something that relieves it, but wish it wasn't the agonists. Anyone know the side effects of neurontin?

[mrsD]

I think restless leg is a real entity.

For what it is worth, I know one sleep specialist MD who used Sinemet off label for his patients 10 yrs before the "agonists" appeared.

[indigogo]

one small Requip is needed to calm my restless legs before I can sleep - the only thing that works; I am a veteran of this stuff after 12 years of experimentation

[mrsD]

What I think is the most egregious off label use today is Seroquel (a potent antipsychotic with terrible side effects) being pushed to internists and GPs for patients with simple insomnia!