Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Treatment: Medications & Options

Restless leg syndrome is a condition that makes a person feel the urge to move his legs due to uncomfortable sensations, particularly at night. There are many treatment options available for this condition.

Significance

• Because people have different types of disturbances and severities, there are multiple treatment options available.

FDA-Approved Drugs

• The first dopamine antagonist drug that the FDA approved to treat restless leg syndrome was Requip, which originally was a drug for people with Parkinson's disease. The FDA has since released Mirapex and Neupro.

Mild to Moderate Symptoms

• For people who only have mild to moderate restless leg syndrome, a popular treatment option is the benzodiazepine drug class (brand names include Ativan, Klonopin and Xanax).

Severe Symptoms

• In more severe cases, opioids including oxycodone, propoxyphene and codeine may be used to help relieve the symptoms.

Painful Symptoms

• For those who suffer with crawling-type sensations or actual pain, anticonvulsants decrease sensory disturbances.

Considerations

• Though medications can help the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, a healthy lifestyle and supplements such as iron, magnesium and folate may prevent the onset as well.