Restless Leg Syndrome: Your Treatment Options

Mental Health & Sleep Center, Restless Leg Syndrome
on October 22, 2013
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While there is currently no cure for restless leg syndrome (RLS), there are many nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical therapies that help ease symptoms. There are four common drug classes that offer help for RLS (also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, or WED): medications increasing the chemical dopamine in the brain (e.g. pramipexole, ropinirole), certain medications that are often used to treat epileptic seizures (e.g. gabapentin, pregabalin, gabapentin enacarbil), opioid pain relievers (e.g. codeine, oxycodone, methadone) and certain sleeping aids (e.g. temazepam).

RELATED: Why Restless Leg Syndrome is More Common in Women

In addition, you and your doctor can:

  • check for iron deficiency.
  • look at medications such as common antihistamines and some antidepressants that could be making your WED/RLS worse.
  • find an exercise schedule and physical activities that help you deal with WED/RLS.
  • find activities to keep your mind engaged when WED/RLS presents itself.
  • discuss eliminating alcohol from your diet.
  • identify habits and activities that worsen your WED/RLS symptoms.
  • implement a program of good sleep habits.

This information was provided by the Willis-Ekbom Disease Foundation. Visit their website for additional WED/RLS help and resources.