Though there are many at home and holistic remedies for restless leg syndrome (RLS), some find that they need medical assistance to make it through the night.
Unfortunately there is no one medication prescribed for RLS, as people suffer from a variety of symptoms.
Doctors prescribe drugs "off label," meaning that the drugs are created with the intention of curing or treating another disease, but have proven to be successful in eliminating the symptoms of RLS.
Generally, dosages are much smaller than what is standard for treating the intended disease or condition.
Below is a list of drugs used to treat RLS and a brief description of why they work.
The first medicines doctors first look to are dopaminergic agents.
Usually prescribed to those suffering from Parkinson's Disease, dopaminergics increase dopamine, the brain chemical that regulates muscle movements.
Examples of dopaminergic agents commonly prescribed are Ropinirole and Pramipexole.
Anticonvulsants are given to those who suffer seizures.
Drugs Gabapentin and Neurontin have helped reduce muscle contractions in people with RLS.
Sleep medications called benzodiazepines depress the nervous system and often have positive effects on muscle contractions.
Less heavy sedatives like over the counter sleeping pills have also proven to be helpful for milder cases of RLS.
Opiates and Narcotics like Darvon and Percodan are pain killers.
Because they relax muscles, they have helped some with their RLS symptoms.
Opiates are highly addictive, however, and should be used in low doses and with extreme caution.
Though opiates are the most addictive of the group, many medicines have addictive properties.
Before speaking with your doctor about getting a prescription to control your restless leg syndrome, try at home RLS remedies and treatments.