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Suggest Medication For Restless Legs Syndrome
Question: Is there any new medication that can help restless leg system? I have taken Mirapex, Ropinerol and others.
My restless leg can occur all day and night. It keeps me from resting during the day and from sleeping at night. Just hoping for something that could help.
My restless leg can occur all day and night. It keeps me from resting during the day and from sleeping at night. Just hoping for something that could help.
Brief Answer:
Some options but no new drugs, only a sleeping device.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your frustration, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is hard to treat.
Unfortunately in most cases there is no evident cause to address so treatment remains symptomatic. Not all medications are effective in all patients so often several drugs have to be tested to search for the most suitable one. It is unclear what you mean by "others" regarding the medications you have tried, so I am gonna go ahead and mention them all.
- Main class is dopaminergic agents like mirapex and ropinirole which you mention, so I think we can consider those as failed if tried at adequate doses.
- Benzodiazepines are the next class, main one used is Clonazepam.
- Opioids like Codeine have also been employed.
- Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin or gabapentine are another widely used option.
- Clonidine is one last option which has also been effective in some patients.
So these are the ones available to try if you haven't already. You inquire about new medication, but I am afraid none of those are new, unfortunately no new drugs have been developed.
One recent option which has been approved by the US FDA in 2014 is a device called Relaxis which is used when in bed. It works by counter-stimulating the legs and has been showed to lessen symptoms and improve sleep quality.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Some options but no new drugs, only a sleeping device.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your frustration, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is hard to treat.
Unfortunately in most cases there is no evident cause to address so treatment remains symptomatic. Not all medications are effective in all patients so often several drugs have to be tested to search for the most suitable one. It is unclear what you mean by "others" regarding the medications you have tried, so I am gonna go ahead and mention them all.
- Main class is dopaminergic agents like mirapex and ropinirole which you mention, so I think we can consider those as failed if tried at adequate doses.
- Benzodiazepines are the next class, main one used is Clonazepam.
- Opioids like Codeine have also been employed.
- Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin or gabapentine are another widely used option.
- Clonidine is one last option which has also been effective in some patients.
So these are the ones available to try if you haven't already. You inquire about new medication, but I am afraid none of those are new, unfortunately no new drugs have been developed.
One recent option which has been approved by the US FDA in 2014 is a device called Relaxis which is used when in bed. It works by counter-stimulating the legs and has been showed to lessen symptoms and improve sleep quality.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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