Hi All
I was wondering if anyone has heard of a drug called horizant, gabapentin enacarbil. The fda approved it in the states specifically for rls pts. It is supposed to be longer acting and less side effects. My husbands neurologist had no knowledge of it. It is designed for rls pts which would make it unique in one sense. I’m interested to know if anyone has used it or if there is any possibility of it being approved in the Uk or Europe?
It is basically gabapentin in a 24 hour form but since RLS is at night, there is no real advantage to it and it can have many of the same side effects although gabapentin has some Horizant doesn't and Horizant has some gabapentin doesn't. It is not available in the UK and I know of no plans to have it available.
Sue could you list the side effect of gabapentin and then Horizant. Also what are the same side effects. Something like a venn diagram. Pls and thank you
That's not really useful. They are all just possible. All medicines have possible side effects and if one reads them it would scare people from taking any medicines, even aspirin. Most of the side effects go away after a few weeks and those that don't will lessen or be worth it for the control of their RLS. Of course some won't for some people but it is easy to come off it by reducing it slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
My hubby was on Horizant then the doc added methadone. Made him crazy, panic attacks, insomnia. Got off Horizant but methadone is still doing stuff to him. We are just about at the weaning off point of methadone and need something for him since the monster RL has returned with a vengeance. Really never went away before, but worse now.
Wondering if we should return to one horizant
You could try pregabalin.
Or another possibility is dipyridamole. You might want to discuss this with your doctor. It has helped some people on this forum and another forum I was on and has completely eliminated RLS in some. In the winter 2022 edition of Night Walkers, the publication of RLS.org there is an article by Sergi Ferre about dipyridamole discussing the effectiveness of it in a 2 week double blind placebo controlled study showing it completely ameliorated all symptoms. The study was by Dr. Garcia Borreguero movementdisorders.onlinelib... sciencedirect.com/science/a...
Take it on an empty stomach. (fats inhibit absorption) about 1-1/2 to 2 hours before bed. If you have headaches they tend to disappear or lessen after around 5 days. Coffee can counteract its effects by blocking the same receptors that dipyridamole aims to enhance.so the advice is to avoid it 12 to 24 hours before taking the dipyridamole. It is possible you could take it in the morning or it is possible you can't take it at all.
It is available in the UK BUT I think it's difficult to get prescribed.There have definitely been one or two members who have been given it.
I suspect each CCG will have rules on whether it can be prescribed. It will be slightly more expensive than gabapentin or pregabalin so cost will play a part.
Ask your local pharmacist. They're more aware of what's allowed locally.
No it’s not licensed here yet and I asked pharmacist and neurologist and they didn’t know about it. I’m also a nurse prescriber for a completely different speciality and have access to info on HPRA approved medication and can’t see it on any formulary. Thank you for your answer, I was interested because it is made for rls as opposed to most other drugs that are used off label for rls. Tnx again.
I sent this reply hours ago ,but it obviously didn't get through--- there seems to have been some gremlins in the system.
Anyway, as far as I know, Horizant is not available in Ireland, and even if it were, it would be horrendously expensive.
Just started taking Horizant
Horizant
Horizant and insomnia 
No luck
Horizant and Gabapentin
