Dopaminergic medications have been widely used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS), where they are effective at reducing symptoms in the short term. However, long-term use of these agents has been associated with augmentation, a worsening of symptoms over time or earlier in the day. This phenomenon has led to a shift in treatment recommendations, favoring non-dopaminergic options as first-line therapies.

This podcast brings you updates on managing augmentation in RLS from Sleep Europe 2024, which took place in Seville, Spain. You will hear from experts Celia Garcia-Malo, MD, PhD, Centro Integral de Sueño y Neurociencias CISNe, Madrid, Spain, Diego Garcia-Borreguero, MD, PhD, Sleep Research Institute, Madrid, Spain, and Ambra Stefani, MD, PhD, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. They delve into the role of dopaminergic agonists in the treatment of RLS and how augmentation can develop. They suggest various alternative therapies, give advice for terminating dopaminergic agents, and provide updates on guidelines regarding the use of dopaminergic therapies.