Buprenorphine for Restless Legs Syndrome
Opioids are a mainstay of treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) when first-line medications have not worked. @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health explains the benefits of buprenorphine among opioid medications and provides some initial results from his study of patients treated with buprenorphine.
Click here to read the full published abstract on buprenorphine effectiveness in severe RLS:
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/Supplement_1/A307/7182410
Buprenorphine is an opioid (narcotic) medication with a unique chemical effect in that it partially attaches to the mu-opioid receptor unlike most traditional opioids (e.g. codeine, oxycodone, methadone). Because of this unique mechanism, it has minimal risk of causing breathing problems that could lead to death, which is the most feared risk of regular opioids and why taking too strong a dose of opioids may lead to impairment, coma, and even death. Buprenorphine also does not typically cause an individual to "get high" (euphoria) making the risk of drug abuse greatly reduced. This is why forms of buprenorphine like Suboxone® are now commonly used for opioid use disorder, to help people with opioid dependence and avoid the risk of an opioid poisoning.
It is important to note that though buprenorphine has significantly lower risk of breathing problems, addiction, dependence, and other side effects than standard opioids, it is a DEA schedule III controlled substance. Misuse and/or overdose in combination with other drugs and substances can cause severe and potentially life-threatening effects not limited to severe impairment, shallow breathing, coma, and death. Buprenorphine can also be used inappropriately for non-medical purposes, and there is still a risk for dependence and/or addiction, even with appropriate use, though it has a significantly lower risk for addiction than standard opioids. Opioids like buprenorphine require strict supervision and management by a licensed medical clinician.
You may read A ReLACSing Blog #21, to learn why doctors have become so unwilling to prescribe opioids including for RLS:
These videos are for general medical information only, but for those who live in or near Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, or Florida, you can hire @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health for consultation regarding RLS, buprenorphine, and other aspect of your sleep health, which may require more personalization, time, and expertise. Go to https://www.relacshealth.com/ to schedule your consultation now.
