Boehringer Ingelheim’s pramipexole ‘improves mood disturbance’

Boehringer Ingelheim has claimed that pramipexole, marketed in the UK as Mirapxin, can offer people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) a “significant” improvement in mood disturbance, which the company describes as a “frequent and debilitating” symptom of the disorder.

New data presented at the tenth annual Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies showed that pramipexole – even in low doses – can improve the symptoms of RLS.

Among the total population observed during the study, 72.2 per cent of pramipexol users reported an improved mood, compared to 52.2 per cent for placebo recipients.

Luigi Ferini Strambi, assistant professor of neurology at the State University of Milan, remarked: “We need to tackle the multiple facets of this complex condition. Because RLS not only affects patients’ sleep, it is important to consider treatment options that are effective in treating the night-time symptoms as well as also improving the daytime symptoms many RLS patients experience.”

“The management of RLS-related mood symptoms and the role of central dopaminergic mechanisms are extremely important considerations that influence therapeutic decisions,” he added.

RLS could affect between two and 15 per cent of the British population and the syndrome is thought to be more prevalent in women than men, according to the BBC. The disorder is characterised by a tingling sensation in the legs, discomfort and pain. There is no known cure, although reducing caffeine and alcohol intake is thought to help.

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