Anticonvulsants for restless legs syndrome

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Tegretol	carbamazepine

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Neurontin	gabapentin

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Depakene	valproate

How It Works

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Anticonvulsants are used to help control or prevent abnormal increases in brain electrical activity. They are primarily used for people who have seizures. They may help suppress electrical activity in the brain that causes restless legs syndrome symptoms.

Why It Is Used

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Gabapentin can help people with restless legs syndrome. It is sometimes used when symptoms are severe and can be used in combination with other drugs.

How Well It Works

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While anticonvulsants help relieve symptoms in some people, they have no effect on others.

Side Effects

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Drowsiness, dizziness, tremors, blurred vision, nausea, and poor coordination have all been reported as occasional side effects when these medications were used as treatment for other conditions. Research is needed to discover whether side effects are different when these drugs are used to treat restless legs syndrome.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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More study is needed to discover the full range of side effects. Anticonvulsants have not yet been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for treatment of restless legs syndrome.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

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Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Author	Cynthia Tank
Editor	Alison Allen
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Wayne A. Hening, MD - Neurology
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology
Last Updated	April 4, 2007