Restless Legs Syndrome Due to the Use of Trazodone: A Case Report

Many case reports have demonstrated that using antidepressants and especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepresants mirtazapine and mianserin can lead to restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, there are disagreements in the results of the limited number of investigations on the relationship of RLS with antidepressants. Trazodone is a frequently used antidepressant with complex agonistic/antagonistic effects on the serotonergic system and moderate blockage on the histamine receptor. This report dicusses the case of a 39-year old female patient who developed RLS after using trazodone (100mg/day) prescribed by her pscyhiatrist for treating her insomnia complaints. We have learned from the patient's statement that she felt burning, tingling and restlessness in her legs, that started from the first night of the treatment and caused an urge to move her legs. The effects were attributed to trazodone and the treatment was discontinued. The patient reported at her control examination the disappearance of RLS symptoms one day after discontinuing trazodone use and the complete improvement of her insomnia complaints.