sleep ease /nytol

[Denny3]

I have taken this over the counter medication for a couple of months, I have now stopped as I realised it was giving me RLS. I am really hoping it will pass now I have stopped the medication. Has anyone else had this problem?

[ChrisColumbus]

Sedating anti histamines can block the brains' dopamine receptors, increasing the symptoms of restless legs.

Nytol is included in RLS-UK's list of Medications To Avoid:

Cold and Flu remedies and Anti-Histamines: Common culprits include: Night Nurse, Day Nurse, Nytol, Actifed, Avamys, Benadryl (Acrivastine), Chlorphenamine ( Piriton), Contac, Coricidin, Fluticasone, Rhinolast (Azelastine hydrochloride), Sinutab, Sudafed. Note that many cough syrups may contain antihistamines, especially if they are recommended for cold or flu symptoms. Always try to choose non-drowsy option.

Anti-depressants: Many people living with RLS also live with depression and consequently are prescribed anti-depression medication. RLS is also common in two conditions that often co-occur with depression: ADHD and PTSD. However some anti-depressants can actually make RLS symptoms worse. If you are prescribed anti-depressants and live with RLS, we recommend you monitor your RLS symptoms to see if your symptoms worsen after starting anti-depressant medication. If so, speak to your medical practitioner to see if you can be prescribed an alternative medication. Trazodone and Bupropion are both RLS safe alternatives.

Anti-psychotics: Most anti psychotics worsen RLS.

Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepineephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):

Citalopram (Cipramil), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafexine (Efexor), Escitalopram (Cipralex), Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin, Nefadar), Sertraline ( Zoloft, Lustral), Dapoxetine (Priligy), Fluvoxamine (Faverin), Vortioxetine (Brintellix).

Tricyclic medications: Amitriptyline (Tryptizol), Clomipramine (Anafranil, Imipramine (Tofranil), Lofepramine (Gamanil), Nortryptiline (Allegron), Amoxapine, Desipramine (Norpramin), Doxepin, Trimipramine, Imipramine, Mirtazapine ( Zispin), Protriptyline, as well as others, have been suggested as making the symptoms of RLS worse.

Antacids: Most Proton Pump Inhibitors worsen RLS. Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole.

Anti Nauseates: Discuss any anti nauseates with your doctors before surgery as many, including prochlorperazine or metoclopramide) will trigger RLS during and after surgery. Safe alternatives include Odansetron ( Zofran), domperidone or granisetron hydrochloride.

[ChrisColumbus]

If you continue to have significant sleep problems you might ask your doctor for a prescription to zopiclone, considered safe for RLS: it's usually only prescribed, like most sleeping aids, for short-term use (4 weeks)

[Joolsg]

Yes. Most RLS patients will suffer worsened RLS on those types of medicines.

Look at RLS-UK website which lists treatments and medications to avoid.

What do you take for RLS?

Have you had full iron panel blood tests?

[Denny3 in reply to Joolsg]

No, I’ve only had it for about an 6 weeks and it came on a few weeks after taking nytol. Once I realised this might be cause I stopped taking it but symptoms persist. I was hoping it would go away after the pills are out of my system but am concerned it won’t. Really appreciate any advice

[Joolsg in reply to Denny3]

It could well be coincidence that your serum ferritin levels were low at the same time as starting nytol.Why did you decide to take nytol? Perhaps you had RLS, but were unaware of what was waking you and it became worse as a result of Nytol?

Usually, medication triggered RLS does settle after 2 or 3 months.

But, in the meantime look at the list of medications that trigger RLS on RLS-UK and learn all you can.

Ask for full iron panel blood tests as raising serum ferritin and thereby brain iron levels, most people resolve their symptoms.

[SueJohnson]

I agree with what the others have said. And yes it will pass.

This is your first post so we don't know much about your RLS. Is it under control when not taking nytol? Are you taking any medicine for it? ropinirole, pramipexole, gabapentin, pregabalin, an opioid?

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? This is the first thing your doctor should have done. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, avoid a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute

[Denny3 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you so much, that is really helpful. I can tolerate the insomnia but this is truly awful. You have given me hope that you think it will pass has it’s come on through nytol which I have now stopped! I wlll ask for the fbc blood test if it persists