Rotigotine (Neupro) and pramipexole (Mirapex) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS .
While muscle relaxants are primarily used for muscle spasms and back pain, they are also prescribed for RLS. Low doses of muscle relaxants are sometimes used in conjunction with opioid analgesics and sleep medications to help combat RLS.
Medications for Restless Legs Syndrome
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and temazepam (Restoril), are sedatives. Opiates: These drugs are most often used to treat pain, but they can also relieve RLS symptoms.
Benzodiazepines, which are often used as regular sleeping pills or anxiety medications, are often used for RLS. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan).
Soaking in a warm bath and massaging the legs can relax the muscles. Apply warm or cool packs. Use of heat or cold, or alternating use of the two, may lessen the limb sensations. Establish good sleep hygiene.
Conclusion. Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements can reduce the severity of symptoms of RLS/WED patients and improve their sleep quality.
Restless Legs Syndrome #1: Medication
“The most common RLS triggers are prescription and over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Buchfuhrer says. Because they block dopamine, the worst culprits include: Over-the-counter antihistamines, cold and allergy medications (Sudafed, Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Benadryl)
Dopamine agonists — The non-ergot dopamine agonists, pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine, are effective in the treatment of RLS at low doses and are all considered reasonable first-line therapies for chronic persistent RLS in patients with an increased risk for side effects from gabapentinoids [7].
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), known as a kind of neurological disease, is prevalent but easy to be ignored. Studies have demonstrated that massage therapy can effectively reduce the symptoms of patients with RLS and improve their quality of life.
have iron deficiency anaemia – low levels of iron in the blood can lead to a fall in dopamine, triggering restless legs syndrome.
If nerve cells become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced, which causes muscle spasms and involuntary movements. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, which may explain why the symptoms of restless legs syndrome are often worse in the evening and during the night.
The risk for the development of RLS was significantly higher in vitamin D deficient cases compared to those who are vitamin D sufficient. Additionally, the mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was significantly lower in patients with RLS than in normal controls.
Oral supplements
Meanwhile, others find the glycinate form offers the fewest side effects. The recommended daily amount of elemental magnesium in a supplement form is between 200 to 400 mg daily for adults. Taking it at bedtime should benefit sleep.
In addition to anxiety and stress, there are some known triggers of restless legs: Some prescription and non-prescription medications can aggravate this symptom, including antihistamines, anti-nausea, antidepressants, and beta blockers.
While we don't have a cure, we have beds to recommend that may help ease your RLS symptoms as you sleep. The best mattresses for restless legs syndrome have low motion transfer, middle-of-the-road firmness, and features that accommodate a variety of sleeping positions.
The FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil for use in RLS, preferring it over standard gabapentin because it has fewer side effects. Another similar drug, pregabalin.
Don't try melatonin
Melatonin also inhibits the secretion of dopamine, which makes it bad news for restless legs syndrome patients. It might increase RLS symptoms in the evening and night, according to researchers at Sacre-Coeur Hospital in Montreal.
If you have RLS, you should also see a doctor if you are: Losing sleep often. Feeling depressed or anxious. Having trouble concentrating.
These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.