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Sinemet for Restless Legs Syndrome User Reviews

Rating: 7.8

Sinemet has an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 from a total of 18 reviews for the off-label treatment of restless legs syndrome. 67% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 6% reported a negative experience.

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11%
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6%
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Reviews for Sinemet

  • dee...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 19, 2013

"I have been on Sinemet for at least 15 years. I have not had to raise the dosage due to augmentation as of yet. This is the very first medicine I tried for restless legs syndrome, and it works so well for me I don't feel the need to try the newer medicines. I have had restless legs syndrome since my teens and am now hitting 60."

10 / 10
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162 Report
  • Mas...
  • May 14, 2013

"I worked on my feet for 10 years now and developed restless leg about 2 years ago. No one understands what it is until they've encountered it themselves. I am prescribed Sinemet and I love it. I usually only take it when symptoms start (when those legs start feeling funny). I am very fortunate because I suffer no side effects. I do not get sleepy and it doesn't bother my stomach. I would highly recommend this medication for anyone who is unfortunate enough to suffer from this."

9 / 10
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130 Report
  • Kev...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 13, 2012

"This has been a godsend for me. I have been prescribed carbidopa-levodopa 25/100 for 10 years and am currently 53 (age). While it may affect others differently, I have seen absolutely no side effects. If I am beginning to feel restless legs syndrome, this medicine seems to take about an hour to eliminate the symptoms. Since these symptoms seem to come over me as I relax into the evening, I simply take one in advance and another just before bed. I also take it just before long drives and flights. Works great for me and I hope others may be as fortunate. I tried Requip at one time but it made me groggy."

10 / 10
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117 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Noo...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 10, 2020

"I have been taking Sinemet for many years for restless legs (RLS), and it's the only thing that works. I developed severe RLS after having Guillain-Barré syndrome. None of the home remedies have any effect at all. I have had to increase the dose over time and take a dose at 6 pm, 8 pm, and when going to bed. This gets me through the night. Sometimes I need to take it in the day before a meeting or a long drive or flight, etc."

8 / 10
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33 Report
  • Amy...
  • February 20, 2012

"I have had restless legs syndrome for years due to iron deficiency. I took Sinemet for about a year, and it seemed to work great for me. However, I could not take the full or even half of the dose because it really made me feel drowsy the following day, so I would break it up and take a very small piece of the pill. Also, if you don't go to bed after taking it and stay up for a while, it can have the adverse effect on you. Makes you really sleepy, but makes your restless legs symptoms worse. Good luck!"

8 / 10
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62 Report

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  • Kam...
  • January 20, 2012

"I have suffered from restless legs syndrome for 14 years and have been taking Sinemet since. The only medication that works for me, but it only lasts for 2 to 3 hours, then I need to take it again. For nearly 2 years, I have come to realize that after eating food or drink containing MSG/monosodium glutamate - 621, 627, it contributes to my suffering. So, if I eat less of this, I will suffer less."

8 / 10
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59 Report
  • Sim...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 25, 2017

"At first, I thought Sinemet was the greatest thing ever. I took it for two years and began to suffer all sorts of odd side effects, which I didn't at first associate with the drug. But the worst was one that nearly killed me. I didn't even realize it was happening at first because I was having brief periods of blackout. I'd be walking and suddenly feel as though the earth had shifted under my feet. It finally happened while I was driving. I snapped out of it, fortunately without hitting anyone or anything, but didn't know where I was. I stopped taking it and all the symptoms I'd experienced disappeared."

1 / 10
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33 Report

More FAQ

  • Bie...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 8, 2020

"Sinemet worked for RLS for six months, then stopped. Now it is ineffective at any dose. Anti-seizure meds don't help. The only thing that works is Klonopin. I'd rather not take a benzo, but it beats getting slammed every night at 7 PM. Go figure. No increase in dosage in 19 years. Best wishes to all."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Zig...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 15, 2018

"I've been taking 50 mg of Sinemet for RLS every night, just before bed. While it reduces RLS, my wife still says I twitch. Side effects: cold feet, I have to wear socks at night and even during normal activities around the house. Lately, I've noticed forgetfulness, a listed side effect. Am thinking about switching medications. However, all RLS meds seem to have the same side effects. I may go to Gabapentin Enacarbil or Horizant."

6 / 10
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19 Report
  • Pam...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 25, 2017

"I have been taking Sinemet for several years. It has worked great for me. I take one every night before bed. But I have recently stopped taking it and turned to using essential oils instead. I have not taken a Sinemet for the last 10 nights and have had no issues with my RLS! But I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for relief from the symptoms! Myself, I prefer natural ways to help with my ailments!"

8 / 10
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22 Report
  • Pat...
  • October 2, 2010

"I have restless legs both at night and during the day. The Sinemet helps some at night, but doesn't last through the night. I can't take it during the day because it makes me sleepy and upsets my stomach. If I take it with food, it doesn't work at all. I have a heart condition, so there are some medicines I can't take."

5 / 10
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30 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 18, 2023

"I have suffered with RLS for many years off and on, and I was initially put on Sinemet, and it really helps. Later on, I had a very bad episode of RLS, and they tried me on one of the newer RLS meds, and it gave me bad GI upset, so I went back on my Sinemet and Gabapentin. Sinemet has always helped my RLS, and I highly recommend it!"

9 / 10
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4 Report
  • Kar...
  • August 30, 2015

"I have been using Carbi now for several years, and it is a great drug. But I have a problem in the summers. When it gets hot, I start getting high uric acid (gout). I would like to know if anyone else has this problem. And if so, what did you do? What did your Dr. do?"

7 / 10
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17 Report
  • Pre...
  • July 7, 2017

"I am going on my 5th pregnancy with boy number 5. Around 9 weeks, my legs were flopping around like a half-dead fish out of water, that is what my legs looked like about every 30-40 seconds all day and night unless I was walking constantly. I begged my doctor to give me something, anything. She refused. I tried every natural remedy I could think of. She finally gave me Sinemet at 25/100 mg dose, half a pill, and it worked wonders, but I noticed after a few weeks of taking it, it wore off faster, and then my legs became worse, so my doctor has to keep increasing my dosage. I am 30 weeks now and at 2 pills a day. I take in half and quarter increments throughout the day to avoid the onset of the RLS. If taken properly, it works great."

9 / 10
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11 Report
  • Rea...
  • July 15, 2021

"I have bad RLS. Have been prescribed 100 mg Sinemet once a day. I have been told not to take more than one in a 24-hour period. But it doesn’t get me through the night of sleep. Worries to take more because I’ve been told not to. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Maybe take half at bed and the other half when it wakes me up and wears off?"

7 / 10
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3 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 20, 2010

"Sinemet works great for my restless legs syndrome, even better than the drugs more popularly prescribed. It is absolutely the one medication I cannot live without!"

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 15, 2011

"It is working great for me, and unlike other medications, it is not a controlled drug nor addicting."

9 / 10
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54 Report
  • liz...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 19, 2015

"I have to take more and more. It wears off fast. I also get constipated and itch like crazy from it!"

6 / 10
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28 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Restless Legs Syndrome

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)