This is a list of investigational restless legs syndrome drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use for the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) but are not yet approved.
Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) â Mechanism of Action [Reference]".
This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.
Under development
Phase 3
Phase 2
Preclinical
Not under development
Suspended
No development reported
Discontinued
Clinically used drugs
Approved drugs
Off-label drugs
- Benzodiazepines (GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor positive allosteric modulators) (e.g., clonazepam)
- Dopamine precursors (indirect dopamine receptor agonists) (e.g., carbidopa/levodopa)
- Dopamine D<sub>2</sub>-like receptor agonists (e.g., cabergoline, pergolide)
- Gabapentinoids (ñ<sub>2</sub>ô subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligands) (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin)
- Iron supplements (e.g., ferrous sulfate)
- Opioids (ü-opioid receptor agonists) (e.g., tramadol, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, buprenorphine) (only in severe and treatment-refractory cases)
- Others (e.g., amantadine, baclofen, bupropion, cannabis/cannabinoids, carbamazepine, clonidine, corticosteroids, dipyridamole, ketamine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, orphenadrine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, physostigmine, rasagiline, rifaximin, selegiline, topiramate, valproic acid)
See also
References
External links