What Are Non-Drug Treatments For Restless Legs Ssyndrome?
September 4, 2011 in Sleep Disorders
Non-drug therapies can prove very useful in treating restless legs syndrome (RLS). For individuals with mild RLS, non-drug therapies may be the only treatment you need. Examples of non-drug therapies from the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation include the following:- Have your doctor check for iron and vitamin deficiencies.
- Have your doctor and pharmacist review all your prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) therapies to make sure none are making your RLS worse. You should also consider any herbal or “natural” therapies or supplements you may be taking.
- Work with your doctor to identify habits or activities that worsen RLS symptoms.
- If you drink alcohol or smoke, stop.
- Find activities like relaxation techniques, hot baths or massages that help with your symptoms.
- Work with your doctor to develop a plan to promote good sleep habits.
- Consider removing caffeine from your diet.
Are there medications that can improve my RLS symptoms?
Yes. There are now two medications approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of RLS. These are the prescription drugs Requip® and Mirapex®. Both of these drugs mimic a chemical in the body called dopamine. These drugs are taken about 1 to 3 hours before you go to bed. Your doctor will typically start you at the lowest dose and increase your dose every week. This will help your doctor find a dose that adequately treats your symptoms, but is still the lowest dose necessary. The most common side-effects with these drugs include nausea, sleepiness, lightheadedness and dizziness. Rarely, these drugs can make you hallucinate. If you develop any side-effect from the medication, talk with your doctor.
Although not FDA-approved for RLS, several other drugs have been used for treating RLS. Some of these examples are included in the chart below.
| Drug | Comments |
| Sinemet® (carbidopa/ levodopa) | Before Requip® and Mirapex® were approved for treating RLS, Sinemet® was often considered the drug of choice. A primary downfall of Sinemet® is that symptoms will often be reduced at night but begin to develop earlier in the day than usual. |
| Benzodiazepines - Ativan® (lorazepam), Klonipin® (clonazepam), Restoril® (temazepam) |
About 10 of these drugs are currently available. These drugs do not typically improve symptoms, but help you sleep better. These drugs can be habit forming. Common side-effects include daytime sleepiness, dizziness, unsteadiness and weakness. |
| Pain Relievers - Codeine, Hydrocodone |
These drugs are typically only used in severe cases of RLS. They are habit forming and are associated with many side-effects. |
| Other | Although not approved for RLS, your doctor may have you try numerous medications if you have severe RLS. |
