Which of the following is a dopaminergic agonist used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome/PLMD?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a dopaminergic agonist used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome/PLMD?

Pramipexole is a dopamine receptor agonist that directly stimulates D2-like receptors in the brain, which helps alleviate the sensory uncomfortable sensations and urge to move that define Restless Legs Syndrome. Dopaminergic signaling is a primary target in treating RLS/PLMD, especially when symptoms worsen at rest and in the evening, so a medication that actively mimics dopamine tends to be very effective. The other options do not provide dopaminergic receptor stimulation: gabapentin works by modulating neuronal excitability through calcium channels, iron supplementation addresses iron deficiency that can worsen symptoms, and clonazepam (even off-label) is a sedative benzodiazepine not acting on dopamine receptors. Therefore, pramipexole is the dopaminergic agonist used to treat RLS/PLMD.

Pramipexole is a dopamine receptor agonist that directly stimulates D2-like receptors in the brain, which helps alleviate the sensory uncomfortable sensations and urge to move that define Restless Legs Syndrome. Dopaminergic signaling is a primary target in treating RLS/PLMD, especially when symptoms worsen at rest and in the evening, so a medication that actively mimics dopamine tends to be very effective. The other options do not provide dopaminergic receptor stimulation: gabapentin works by modulating neuronal excitability through calcium channels, iron supplementation addresses iron deficiency that can worsen symptoms, and clonazepam (even off-label) is a sedative benzodiazepine not acting on dopamine receptors. Therefore, pramipexole is the dopaminergic agonist used to treat RLS/PLMD.

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