Many case reports have shown that the use of antidepressants can
lead to restless legs syndrome (RLS). Vortioxetine is a new generation
antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism of action on serotonin
receptors. In this case report, partial improvement in RLS symptoms
after treatment with vortioxetine in a patient with a co-diagnosis of
major depressive disorder and restless legs syndrome will be discussed.
A 59-year-old female patient was admitted to the psychiatry outpatient
clinic due to depressive complaints for three months. In the control
examination, it was learned that the patient had complaints of RLS that
had been going on for about 20 years. RLS symptoms were increased with
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) used by the patient. In the
follow-up examination in the first month after vortioxetine treatment,
clinically significant improvement was observed in the patient’s
depressive complaints, while a partial reduction in RLS symptoms was
observed.
Keywords: Antidepressant, dopamine, restless legs syndrome,
vortioxetine