MEDS THAT IRRITATE RLS : As the heading... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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MEDS THAT IRRITATE RLS 

TEAH35 profile image
24 Replies

As the heading suggests, I have been asked by a fellow sufferer what medications should we avoid. I have come up with the following:

Some nausea, eg Stemetil, can't think of the other one,

Anything containing anhistamine, eg cold and flu, allergies,

Some antidepressants, eg Prozac, Zoloft.

Could you guys please add to this list.

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TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35
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24 Replies
SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

I have 2-1/2 pages single spaced of drugs to avoid. But in general: sedating antihistamines not all antihistamines, SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, statins, diuretics, estrogen, lithium, melatonin, many but not all anti-nausea medicines, some but not all antacids, some but not all beta blockers, some but not all anti-hypertensives, some but not all blood thinners, some but not all anti-anxiety, many medicines that treat bipolar and other mental health problems, many medicines that treat epilepsy, and many drugs that treat GERD

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to SueJohnson

Thanks so much for replying, I told my friend, who is new to our forum, to check out what I had said in my post to the forum, and told her to check it out for helpful replies that can be safely used.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to TEAH35

If she needs a specific type of medicine, I can an answer that if you tell me what she needs.

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to SueJohnson

No she wasn't asking about any specific med. I was actually telling her about not being able to take nausea meds, and that there was only the one medicine that my RLS could handle. And she asked me was there anything else that triggered restless legs. That's where it came from. So I figured it would be a good idea to ask the forum for their opinion regarding this topic.

bergfex profile image
bergfex in reply to TEAH35

In terms of antinausea medications: The main ones to avoid are metoclopramide, droperidol and haloperidol. The ok ones are cyclizine, ondansetron and ganisetron.

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to bergfex

Yep I can take ondansetron.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to TEAH35

See my reply to bergfex.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to bergfex

I have seen a number of posts where cyclizine made their RLS symptoms worse so I would suggest sticking to Granisetron and ondansetron. Obviously everyone responds differently but those are known to be safe.

Bluepainter profile image
Bluepainter in reply to SueJohnson

Is that list available on this site Sue?

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to Bluepainter

No

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

rls-uk.org/treatment

The RLS UK website lists many of the meds that worsen RLS, as does rls.org.

The usual culprits are sedating anti histamines, most anti depressants, statins, beta blockers, anti psychotics, anti nausea meds and PPI acid reflux pills.

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to Joolsg

Well that's good news, but I actually tried to get the acquired information from the website that you recommended. But had trouble in finding the requires information. I also tried the RLS.org website, but again came up empty. So I am gonns to have to rely on you guys.

marsha2306 profile image
marsha2306 in reply to Joolsg

I have been taking rosuvastatin for many years without any effect on my RLS. Is that an exception?

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to marsha2306

It would appear so. Just proves that We Are All Different ( WAAD) & there will be exceptions to the general rule.

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to Joolsg

Yep no rules for RLS. So infuriating

Nikos64 profile image
Nikos64

Believe it or not I found that Midazolam will exacerbate RLS up to a week after taking it. I was given midazolam for a colonoscopy and for a week afterward my RLS was terrible. While this is not a drug and is a food additive you must avoid MSG. At least for me it drives me crawling up walls.

Another drug to avoid is melatonin and many sleeping pills. Melatonin for me is a definite stay away drug.

Finally, if you’re ever prescribed medications for pain (opiates) you may find that they cause RLS after their effect has worn off.

Leo83 profile image
Leo83

I can not take ibuprofen. That sets my legs off terribly.

Mum007 profile image
Mum007

Don’t forget it’s not just meds it’s foodstuffs and sugar/artificial sugar as well.

Bganim1947 profile image
Bganim1947

Benadryl???

TEAH35 profile image
TEAH35 in reply to Bganim1947

YES YES YES. I was always given benadryl as a child. Actually loved the taste so used to sneak it. As an adult .... NO

K2D2 profile image
K2D2

Is venlafaxine/Effexor a trigger for RLS? If so, is it possible to have taken it for a long time with no problems and then suddenly start having unrelenting RLS nightly?

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply to K2D2

It definitely exacerbates RLS symptoms in some.

marsha2306 profile image
marsha2306

I do take Wellbutrin, Allegra, rosuvastatin and Zofran with no problem.

LoisTonya profile image
LoisTonya

Having had 4 courses of antibiotics I am taking probiotics and my RLS has got much worse. Is there a connection?

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