A Case of Restless Leg Syndrome Induced by Mirtazapine in a Patient with Major Depressive Disorder / 대한정신약물학회지

ABSTRACT

Mirtazapine is a novel antidepressant and has a unique dual action profile, combining the enhancement of the noradrenergic neurotransmitter system with specific actions on particular serotonergic receptor subtypes. The authors report a case of restless leg syndrome induced by mirtazapine. The patient (46 years old male) with major depressive disorder developed typical restless leg syndrome from the initial period of administration of mirtazapine. Restless leg syndrome was not relieved by reduction of mirtazapine and disappeared rapidly after discontinuation of mirtazapine. The major difference of the case from previously reported cases is the onset time of symptoms. We may consider that mirtazapine can induce dopaminergic side effect like a restless leg syndrome promptly as its fast-acting antidepressant effect.