Augmentation

[Shakespeare1564]

Hello. I do not understand what “Augmentation” means in the context of RLS. Could someone explain it please?

[Lapsedrunner]

This explains ithealthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po......

[Hidden]

In the context of RLS, augmentation is specific to dopaminergic medications (rotigotine, pramipexole, ropinirole) and Tramadol. There is also some evidence that it occurs with pregabalin.

Augmentation is a worsening of RLS symptoms after starting one of the above medications.

The medication tends to be effective when it's first commenced, but over time symptoms increase, meaning you need more of the medication to deal with the symptoms.

Or, restlessness might spread to other body parts. Eg symptoms which may have only been in the legs, might spread to the arms and torso.

Once augmentation starts, it's recommended to stop or significantly reduce the medication (always slowly).

Augmentation is often confused with 'tolerance'. Tolerance occurs when a regular user of a drug gradually becomes less responsive to the drug (i.e. their body gets used to the drug). This can often lead to the person requiring larger amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.

The key distinction between augmentation and tolerance is that

- augmentation results in an actual worsening of symptoms,

- tolerance does not result in actual worsening of symptoms (even though it may FEEL as though that is what is occurring ).

[Shakespeare1564 in reply to Hidden]

👍