The Pros and Cons of Restless Leg Syndrome and Sinemet Medication

For those who are suffering from restless leg syndrome with severe symptoms, any sort of relief would be welcome. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what restless leg syndrome is, this disorder affects the limbs, usually the lower ones, causing a person at rest to feel the urge to stretch, kick, or otherwise exercise them. This effect occurs most often at night, which can disrupt sleeping patterns. If restless leg syndrome is the result of another disorder, such as varicose veins or diabetes, the symptoms often go away with proper treatment of the underlying cause, but if it is the primary problem, then an individual must take medication for relief. If you do, there is a good chance that you’ll be using Sinemet, since the reduction of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome and Sinemet use often go hand in hand.

How it Works

A study of restless leg syndrome and Sinemet use shows that treating this disorder requires activating what are called dopamine receptors in the brain. A reduction in dopamine levels is associated with Parkinson’s disease as well, and while Parkinson’s is certainly a more severe disease, both disorders are treatable with Sinemet; in fact, Sinemet was originally a medication developed for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine levels in the body are difficult to measure, and so unless a doctor is looking specifically to measure it, routine testing to determine the cause of restless leg syndrome will not turn up any information on dopamine levels. However, as with Parkinson’s, the link between restless leg syndrome and Sinemet’s ability to provide effective treatment has not been disputed.

The Bad News

Unfortunately, Sinemet isn’t the perfect drug for treatment of restless leg syndrome, though it is widely in use and inexpensive to obtain. Sinemet is only a short-term solution for reducing the effects of restless leg syndrome, because the longer someone uses Sinemet, the more likely it is that the symptoms will return, stronger and earlier in the day than before. When this happens, you will need to change medication, so if you suffer from a sudden increase in the symptoms restless sleep syndrome and Sinemet is one of the drugs you are taking, be sure to contact your physician.

Because Sinemet is a drug that affects the brain, you should also be careful to watch for some of the side effects of use, which includes depression, anxiety, and hallucination. If you suffer from a preexisting mental disorder, then you should discuss this with your doctor and if you or a family member is displaying negative effects related to restless leg syndrome and Sinemet is your current medication, be sure to contact your physician as soon as possible. But despite the warnings, remember that side effects usually only occur for a handful of people, so if you do suffer from restless leg syndrome, talk with your physician about the possibility of using Sinemet or a similar medication to treat your symptoms.