Methadone or similar treatments in the UK

[AVUSER]

My partner has been on various prescribed treatments for many years, currently Gabapentin, all of which have now stopped working. We have read that small doses of Methadone can help, but understand that currently in the UK, the drug is not licensed to treat RLS. Its quite a common treatment in the U.S as I understand it, however we have seen a GP and a consultant, both of whom say it simply is not available in the UK for this condition. Can anyone shed any light on this? Can you obtain a prescription in the UK? is there any other legal ways of obtaining methadone?

Many thanks

[SueJohnson]

You say the gabapentin stopped working. How much was he taking? Many people stop taking it thinking it is not working when they aren't taking enough. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." Also it needs to be taken in doses of no more than 600 mg each 2 hours apart as it is not well absorbed above 600 mg.

[AVUSER in reply to SueJohnson]

OK, I will check, but am pretty sure she is on the max dose already. Thanks for the info though.

[Pippins2]

Hi,Targinact is an opiate (contains oxycodone ) which is licensed for RLS in the UK so your partner should be able to try that

[AVUSER in reply to Pippins2]

thank you will look into that

[LotteM]

In addition to Pippins' suggestion, quite a few people in the UK managed to get buprenorphine prescribed for their RLS. Doctors may know this 'older' opioid as Temgesic. It has surfaced fairly recently as a treatment for RLS, especially in the UK and EU, as methadone is indeed difficult to get prescribed. I take it after a long journey with multiple (types of) medicines and this one quite effectively stops the RLS. It also makes me drowsy and has slowed my mind considerably, but it is so much better than all the other meds I took (ropinirole, tramadol, gabapentin, pregabalin and oxycontin).

Search the forum for posts that mention buprenorphine, and you'll get the various stories. And the doctors/hospitals that prescribe it.