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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Drugs can become less effective over time. To help delay or prevent both of these problems, your doctor may prescribe a combination of dopaminergic drugs with other types of drugs to treat RLS (1). GabapentinA fourth drug that’s been approved by the FDA to treat RLS is called gabapentin (Horizant). This is an antiseizure medication (27). It’s not entirely understood how gabapentin works to relieve RLS symptoms, but studies show it to be effective (28).In one study, 24 people with RLS were treated with gabapentin or a placebo for six weeks. Those treated with gabapentin had improved sleep and reduced leg movements from RLS, while those treated with a placebo did not (28).Another study compared the use of gabapentin with the use of ropinirole (one of the drugs approved by the FDA to treat RLS). Eight people with RLS took each of the drugs for four weeks, and both groups achieved similar levels of relief from RLS symptoms (29).BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines are drugs used to treat anxiety and sleep problems. Clonazepam (Klonopin) and other types of these drugs are often prescribed for people with RLS in combination with other drugs (30).While these drugs may not relieve RLS symptoms themselves, their benefit of improved sleep can be very helpful for people with RLS (30).OpioidsOpioids are typically used to treat pain. In some cases, usually when other medications aren’t helpful or cause augmentation, opioids can be used carefully in low doses to help treat RLS (26, 8). Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (Targinact) is one opioid that could help relieve RLS symptoms and improve sleep (4). However, because of the newer guidelines being developed for the use of opioids, this should be a last resort.As with all opioids, use of these drugs should be carefully overseen by a doctor, due to their risk of misuse and dependence.A foot wrap has been shown to help relieve RLS symptoms. Called restiffic, the foot wrap puts pressure on certain points on the bottom of your foot. The pressure sends messages to your brain, which responds by telling the muscles affected by RLS to relax. This helps relieve your RLS symptoms (31).A 2013 study of 30 people using the foot wrap for eight weeks found significant improvements in RLS symptoms and sleep quality (32).The restiffic foot wrap is available by prescription only, and per the company’s website, it costs about $200. It may or may not be covered by your insurance (31).If you’ve ever stayed overnight in the hospital, you may have had pneumatic compression. This treatment uses a “sleeve” that goes over your leg and inflates and deflates, gently squeezing and releasing your limb.In the hospital, a pneumatic compression device (PCD) is typically used to improve circulation and prevent blood
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