Restless Legs Syndrome Medications
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an uncomfortable urge to move the legs in the evening or at rest, with crawling or tingling sensations that ease when you move. It disturbs sleep, and it can occur on its own or alongside iron deficiency, pregnancy or kidney disease.
Key points
- Crawling or tingling feelings drive an urge to move the legs, often worsening in the evening and disrupting sleep.
- It can occur alone or alongside other conditions such as low iron, pregnancy or kidney problems affecting some people.
- Correcting low iron and adjusting triggers like caffeine often helps mild cases before medicines such as dopamine agonists are considered.
Medicines used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome
Mirapex
0.125 · 0.25 · 0.5mg
Indicated to manage Parkinson's disease, this dopamine agonist is designed to alleviate motor symptoms and support movement control in affected individuals.
How it’s treated
Mild RLS responds to lifestyle measures, to correcting iron deficiency (iron supplements where ferritin is low), and to reviewing triggers such as caffeine and certain medicines. For troublesome symptoms, options include gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin) and dopamine agonists such as pramipexole and ropinirole. Dopamine agonists can worsen symptoms over time (augmentation), so clinicians use them cautiously.
UK status
Dopamine agonists and gabapentinoids are prescription-only (POM). Some iron supplements are available over the counter, but iron should be checked and guided by a clinician rather than taken blindly. Persistent, sleep-disturbing symptoms are worth a GP review.