Is there a treatment for restless legs?

There are several treatments available for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as restless legs. Treatment often focuses on relieving symptoms and improving sleep quality.

Moderate exercise can help reduce RLS symptoms, but vigorous exercise close to bedtime can make symptoms worse. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying in a cool, quiet sleeping environment, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before bed can help reduce symptoms.

Massaging your legs, taking warm baths, or using a heating pad can help relieve symptoms. Medications such as pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine are commonly prescribed for RLS and work by increasing dopamine activity in the brain. Medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin can also be effective, especially in patients who experience pain as part of their RLS symptoms.

Some people with RLS are iron deficient. In this case, iron supplements can help reduce symptoms. However, this should be done under the supervision of a doctor, as excess iron can be harmful.



In severe cases, when other treatments are not effective, opioids such as tramadol, methadone or oxycodone are prescribed, but these are usually used as a last resort due to their potential for addiction, and are therefore not recommended. Medications such as clonazepam can be used to promote sleep, but are also not recommended due to their side effects and risk of dependency.

Source: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/35/8/1039/2558916?login=false

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024