Switching From Oral Dopamine Agonists to Rotigotine

Inclusion Criteria

• A diagnosis of RLS, defined by International Restless Legs Study Group (IRLS) essential criteria:
• An urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs.
• The urge to move or unpleasant sensations begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity such as lying down or sitting.
• The urge to move or unpleasant sensations are partially or totally relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching, at least as long as the activity continues.
• The urge to move or unpleasant sensations are worse in the evening or night than during the day or only occur in the evening or night.

(Although some subjects may not meet these criteria on their current oral regimen, these symptoms must have been present prior to treatment.)

• Current treatment with either pramipexole (≤1 mg total daily dose) or ropinirole (≤4 mg total daily dose) with unchanged dose for the past 30 days. Patients also on other RLS medications will be allowed to participate if the dosing has been stable for the past 30 days and the subject agrees to maintain a stable dose for the duration of the trial.
• Inadequate symptom control or patient dissatisfaction with current oral regimen.
• Able to speak and read English.
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Able to learn and demonstrate appropriate patch application.
• Returns appropriately completed RLS symptom log at Visit 2.
• Confirms understanding of cross-titration schedule and is able to restate or summarize these instructions at Visit 2.
• Age ≥18 and ≤75.
• BMI ≥18 and ≤35
• History and/or clinical records document no change in medications active in the central nervous system (antidepressants, analgesics, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, hypnotics, etc.) for at least 30 days prior to visit 1.
• Able to understand study procedures and agrees to remain on stable medications during the period of the study.
• Women of childbearing potential must agree to use a medically accepted method of birth control. Acceptable forms of birth control include:
• Condom + spermicide
• b. Diaphragm + spermicide
• c. Oral contraceptive pills, hormone implants (like Norplant),or injections (like Depo-Provera)
• Intrauterine Device

Exclusion Criteria

• Known secondary cause of RLS, including end-stage renal disease, severe iron deficiency (ferritin <18), pregnancy.
• History of frequent symptomatic orthostatic hypotension.
• Current treatment with a dopamine antagonist medication.
• Another chronic pain syndrome that would, in the opinion of the investigator, interfere with evaluation of RLS symptoms or the response to the study medication.
• Plan to undergo a procedure that may require short or long-term opiates for pain control during the course of the trial.
• Women who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant.
• Shift work or other commitments that do not allow for regular sleep at night.
• Known hypersensitivity or intolerance to rotigotine.
• Known allergy to sulfite-containing drugs.
• History of problematic skin hypersensitivity to adhesives.
• Previous or current clinically significant impulse control disorder, as determined by clinical interview.
• Anticipated change in psychiatric or neurologic status likely to require adjustment of CNS-active medications during the study period.
• Unwillingness of subject to remain on stable doses of CNS-active medications.
• Unwillingness of subject to refrain from as-needed use of RLS medications.
• Significant risk for suicide by clinical interview.
• History of severe mental illness or psychosis
• Current unstable medical illness.
• Any medical or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with participation in the study.