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Medication For Restless Leg Syndrome

Medications for restless leg syndrome (RLS) can help ease symptoms and provide relief when home remedies are not successful. Sometimes, medications for other medical conditions are effective for restless leg syndrome.

Most often, the medications for RLS are used individually for treatment. Sometimes the medications will be used in combination to be most effective. Restless leg syndrome medications include the following:

Alpha2 agonists:

• Used to stimulate alpha2 receptors in the brain stem
• Activates nerve cells (neurons) that "turn down" the part of the nervous system that controls muscle movements and sensations
• May help in cases of primary RLS but has no effect on periodic limb movements during sleep
• Example is clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres).

Anticonvulsants:

• Used to treat severe muscle spasms
• Used mainly for people who have pain, neuropathy, or daytime symptoms
• The most widely used example is gabapentin (Neurontin)

Benzodiazepines:

• Used to treat sleeping problems from RLS
• Sedatives that assist in sleeping through the symptoms
• Examples are temazepam (Restoril), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin)

Dopaminergic agents:

• Used to treat leg sensations
• Increases the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain
• An example is the drug combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet)

Dopamine agonists:

• Used to treat leg sensations
• Increases dopamine levels in the brain
• Side effects may be especially difficult for older people
• Decreased likelihood to cause certain side effects that levodopa use causes
• Some examples are pergolide mesylate (Permax), bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel), pramipexole (Mirapex), and ropinirole hydrochloride (Requip)

Opiates:

• Used to treat pain, but they can relieve RLS symptoms
• Very addictive
• Used only when other drugs don't work
• Examples of low-potency opiates (used to treat mild or intermittent symptoms) are codeine and propoxyphene (Darvon, Dolene)
• Example of higher potency agents (used in more severe cases).are oxycodone hydrochloride (Roxicodone), methadone hydrochloride (Dolophine), and levorphanol tartrate (Levo-Dromoran)

Medications that are used for other medical conditions sometimes relieve the symptoms of restless leg syndrome:

Parkinson’s disease medication:

• Used to reduce movement in the legs
• Affects dopamine levels
• Examples are hey include pramipexole (Mirapex), pergolide (Permax), ropinirole (Requip), and a combination of carbidopa and levodopa (Sinemet)

Epilepsy medications:

• Used to control involuntary movement
• Example is gabapentin (Neurontin)

When changing activity and home remedies are unsuccessful for restless leg syndrome symptom treatment, medication prescribed by a medical professional may be needed. Always give medications time to work before trying other medication options. Sometimes combining types (home remedy, activity changes, medications) of treatment provide optimal relief of symptoms.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Learn the basics of Restless Leg Syndrome.