In what clinical scenarios do you utilize opioids in patients with restless leg syndrome?

I would say in refractory RLS, i.e., the patient has failed all the options below:

1. Iron supplementation if ferritin <50,
2. Gabapentin/pregabalin,
3. Dopamine agonists, and
4. Non-pharmacological options (like the vibrating pad).

*I don't love carbidopa/levodopa for RLS. It very often causes augmentation.

Severe treatment-resistant symptoms that remain after trial and adequate titration of gabapentin as well as pregabalin. I have seen better efficacy with pregabalin and the dose may need to be as high as 450 mg. Augmentation of gabapentin/pregabalin with a very low dose dopamine agonist can be consid...

Opiate medication is certainly an option for patients with RLS. Recent guidelines from the AASM (Winkelman et al., PMID 39324694) recommend them, but not as first-line treatment. Due to the side effects, potential for abuse or misuse, as well as stigma of these medications, I use them sparingly and ...