Medically reviewed by Mark A. Edelman, MD, DABVLM, on June 12, 2025
Have you ever felt an uncomfortable urge to move your legs, especially at night? Maybe your legs feel itchy, crawling, or achy, making it almost impossible to fall asleep. You might be experiencing restless leg syndrome (RLS). But here’s something surprising: many people diagnosed with RLS actually have vein problems like venous insufficiency, which is a treatable condition.
So, what’s the best medication for RLS? The answer might not be a pill at all.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common medications for RLS, their side effects, and why seeing a board-certified vein specialist may be the best move for lasting relief. That's why we spoke to Center for Vein Restoration vein expert, Mark A. Edelman, MD, DABVLM. He is the lead physician at CVR vein clinics in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Stamford, Connecticut.
✅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Edelman in Norwalk, CT, CLICK HERE.
✅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Edelman in Stamford, CT, CLICK HERE.
✅ Don’t live near Norwalk or Stamford, Connecticut? Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a helpful Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of our 110+ CVR vein clinics near you.
Tired of tossing and turning every night? Venous insufficiency often mimics restless leg syndrome, and unlike RLS, it's highly treatable with minimally invasive, outpatient vein procedures. Don’t settle for temporary relief. Let the vein experts at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) help you sleep easily again.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is the nation’s leader in vein care, with over 110 clinic locations and a large team of board-certified vein doctors specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency. With advanced, minimally invasive procedures and a 98 percent patient satisfaction rate, CVR delivers expert care that’s trusted, effective, and close to home.
📞 Call CVR at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
Restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, causes a strong urge to move your legs. Symptoms typically worsen in the evening or during rest. For many people, RLS leads to poor sleep and daytime fatigue.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, RLS affects approximately 7–10 percent of adults in the United States. It’s more common in Caucasians, women, and older adults.
But here’s where things get tricky: RLS symptoms often overlap with symptoms of vein disease, including varicose veins, spider veins, and chronic venous insufficiency.
Many patients think they have RLS, but they’re actually experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency, a condition where blood doesn’t flow properly through the leg veins. This can lead to leg pain, swelling, itching, cramping, and yes, even that creepy-crawly feeling at night.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine titled “Treatment of Leg Veins for Restless Leg Syndrome: A Retrospective Review” found that treating venous reflux (a cause of venous insufficiency) significantly improved RLS symptoms in patients misdiagnosed with primary RLS. The study concluded:
“Venous procedures that correct superficial venous reflux should be considered as therapeutic treatment options with more definitive potential for patients with RLS.”
If your RLS symptoms are mainly in your legs and get worse at night or after sitting for long periods, it’s worth asking: Could this be vein disease instead?
Venous insufficiency (also known as vein disease) is a common condition that happens when the veins in your legs can’t pump blood back up to your heart the way they should. Instead of flowing upward, blood starts to pool in the lower legs, leading to varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, heaviness, and leg pain, especially after sitting or standing for long periods. Over time, this can cause aching, itching, cramping, or even a restless feeling in the legs, particularly at night. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for restless leg syndrome, which is why it’s essential to get checked by a vein specialist.
The good news? Venous insufficiency is highly treatable, especially when caught early.
Before starting lifelong medications, find out if vein problems are behind your RLS symptoms. Center for Vein Restoration offers a painless assessment of leg issues via ultrasound and provides fast, non-surgical, office-based treatments that can restore comfort and improve circulation. Vein treatment at Center for Vein Restoration is often covered by insurance.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
If your doctor diagnoses you with RLS, they may recommend medications. Some of the most commonly used options include:
1. Dopamine Agonists
According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs (like ropinirole, pramipexole, or rotigotine) affect brain chemicals that control movement.
Side effects:
2. Gabapentin or Pregabalin
These are anti-seizure medications that help calm nerve activity.
Side effects:
3. Iron Supplements
In a review published by the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the RLS Foundation and featured in ScienceDirect, low iron levels, especially in the brain, are strongly linked to RLS symptoms. They recommend that iron status should be assessed in all patients, even if they are not anemic. Your doctor might check your ferritin levels and recommend supplements.
Side effects:
NOTE: Iron works best when iron deficiency is the cause, not when vein problems are the real issue.
If your RLS-like symptoms are actually due to venous insufficiency, medications may only cover up the problem, not fix it. That’s why it’s essential to get an evaluation by a CVR vein expert if you have symptoms such as:
These are classic signs of chronic vein disease, which is very treatable, often without the need for long-term medications.
At Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), we specialize in diagnosing and treating vein problems that can be mistaken for RLS. Our minimally invasive, outpatient procedures address the root cause of venous insufficiency.
These treatments take approximately 30 minutes and are performed in-office, allowing you to go home the same day.
Questions? Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
Even if your symptoms are mild or related to non-vein-related RLS, you may find relief through simple lifestyle changes and conservative treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic, such as:
Stay Active
Walking, stretching, and moving your legs throughout the day can help reduce symptoms.
Improve Sleep Hygiene
Stick to a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
Reduce Triggers
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, especially in the evening.
Compression Therapy
Wearing medical-grade compression stockings can improve circulation and reduce leg swelling. They're especially helpful if you have varicose veins or early-stage vein disease.
These approaches are often safer and more sustainable than long-term medication use.
A growing body of research shows a strong link between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In a study reported by the National Library of Medicine (NIH), researchers found a significant correlation between restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms and superficial venous reflux (SVR) in patients evaluated at a vein center. Among those treated with vein ablation, over 85 percent reported improvement in their RLS symptoms, including individuals with a prior RLS diagnosis.
The findings support the idea that venous insufficiency may be an overlooked contributor to RLS symptoms and that duplex ultrasound evaluation should be part of the diagnostic workup for patients with RLS complaints.
This research further suggests that treating malfunctioning veins may offer a cost-effective, non-pharmacologic alternative to long-term RLS medication management.
Your vein health could be the missing piece in managing your restless legs. Rather than masking the symptoms with medications that may cause unwanted side effects, addressing underlying vein disease through minimally invasive treatments, such as those offered at Center for Vein Restoration, may provide more effective and lasting relief.
At Center for Vein Restoration, our team of board-certified vein specialists can pinpoint the true source of your leg discomfort using state-of-the-art diagnostics and minimally invasive office procedures.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book an appointment online HERE
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