How generic Requip may lead to the extinction of restless legs syndrome:
Last week, the drug agency approved the first generic versions of ropinirole tablets for four manufacturers. The move is likely to send Requip sales and advertising plummeting, industry experts predicted.At least one sleep disorder specialist expects the focus on restless legs syndrome to fade as rapidly as the Requip television commercials “” which have already been pulled from the airwaves.
Related posts:
- I do NOT think that Restless Legs Syndrome is "bogus"
- Big Pharma realizes their folly on direct to consumer advertising
- Jarvik-envy
- Gourmand syndrome
- The waning effect of direct to consumer drug advertising
- Pharma TV
- The Sturge-Weber specialist
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{ 4 comments }
Oddly enough, I had all the symptoms they describe on those commercials. So I started walking three to five miles a day, and no more restless legs. It’s a miracle!
I have all the symptoms of restless legs–less when I move around all day as God intended. But I manage to live my life without getting on mind-altering drugs.
Requip is a psychotropic that has pervasive effects in the nervous system. I have already seen people get psychotic and confused on it. It is dopamine agonist and like all dopaminergic drugs can make a fair numbe r of people nuts. Tempering the enthusiasm might be a good idea.
SORRY-CORRECTED SPELLING
May 16, 08
Reply to Kevin, M.D. on RLS
Whoa, Kevin, let’s think about your take on RLS.
RLS is a real disease that affects millions of people mildly to severely, me included.
I am a physician with RLS and the leader of the Gulf Coast RLS Foundation (www.rls.org).
RLS is a neurologic disorder, half the time genetically based that gives rise to brain dopamine deficiency and dysfunction. Hence the benefits of dopaminergic agents.
Serum iron deficiency, a major cause, reduces brain iron required for tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis and subsequent decrease in brain dopamine.
To say this disorder is driven by TV ads and will disappear when the ads for Requip stop is not only unfair to all who suffer from this life altering disorder it suggests a lack of understanding of the biology of this terrible condition.
The profound urge to sleep coupled with the utter biological inability to do so is hardly a fictitious disorder or the susceptibility of gullible people.
How about a retake, Kevin?
Louis Siegel, M.D.
visit my strategies for surviving healthcare at
http://www.likeadoctorinthefamily.com
I don’t watch TV; when I do it’s public television so I’ve never seen an ad for Requip. My problems with RLS started slowly with insomnia that became a nightly issue, needing to get out of bed and walk around for a while. I was scheduled for a sleep study when my MD friend gave me a Requip sample pack–and a ticket to great sleep. It has been nothing short of miraculous for me. I have had no side effects and take it only at night. If I were to have daytime symptoms I would relieve those with walking but my RLS has been a nights-only phenomenon.
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