The restless legs syndrome treatment market, projected to be valued at USD 2.65 Billion in 2025, is anticipated to grow steadily, reaching USD 3.96 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. This growth is fueled by the increasing global incidence of restless legs syndrome, particularly among the elderly, as well as a growing body of clinical research aimed at improving symptom management. Rising awareness of restless legs syndrome as a diagnosable neurological disorder, along with the development of improved dopamine agonists and non-dopaminergic therapies, is driving treatment uptake. Moreover, the expanding availability of prescription drugs and heightened focus on patient quality of life are further supporting the market expansion.
Market Takeaways
- By Drug Class, Dopaminergic Agents are projected to dominate the restless legs syndrome treatment market with a 60.5% share in 2025. Their dominance is driven by their proven efficacy in relieving restless legs syndrome symptoms by modulating dopamine levels, with commonly prescribed drugs such as ropinirole and rotigotine forming the cornerstone of first-line therapy.
- By Distribution Channel, Hospital Pharmacies are expected to account for the largest share of 40.7% in 2025. This is attributed to the higher volume of prescriptions for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome cases managed in clinical settings, along with increasing hospital-based diagnosis and treatment of sleep and neurological disorders.
- Regionally, North America is expected to lead the restless legs syndrome treatment market in 2025, driven by strong awareness campaigns, higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome among the elderly population, well-established healthcare systems, and ongoing R&D by major pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative and targeted therapies.
Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market Report Coverage
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Report Coverage
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Details
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Market Revenue in 2025
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USD 2.65 Billion
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Estimated Value by 2032
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USD 3.96 Billion
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Growth Rate
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Poised to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9%
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Historical Data
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2020-2024
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Forecast Period
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2025–2032
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Forecast Units
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Value (USD Billion)
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Report Coverage
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Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
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Segments Covered
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By Drug Class and Distribution Channel
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Geographies Covered
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North America (U.S. and Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), Europe (Italy, Spain, U.K., Germany, France, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East (GCC Countries, Israel, and Rest of Middle East), and Africa (South Africa, North Africa, Central Africa)
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Growth Drivers
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Trends
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Opportunities
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Restraints & Challenges
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Market Dynamics
The restless legs syndrome treatment market is experiencing steady growth, propelled by increasing awareness and diagnosis rates, especially in aging populations and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease. The condition, characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move, is often underdiagnosed, but recent advancements in neurological diagnostics and sleep medicine are improving detection and patient outcomes. The demand for both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic pharmacological therapies, including gabapentinoids and alpha-2-delta ligands, is growing due to their effectiveness in managing moderate to severe restless legs syndrome symptoms.
For instance, in April 2023, the U.S. FDA granted a De Novo request for Noctrix Health’s NTX100 TOMAC System, a device worn on the lower legs that provides electrical stimulation to the peroneal nerves. Clinical trials showed it was well‑tolerated and effectively suppressed moderate‑to‑severe restless legs syndrome symptoms, offering a novel alternative for patients who are refractory to medications.
Additionally, regulatory agencies such as the U.S. FDA and EMA are increasingly recognizing the burden of restless legs syndrome, providing expedited review pathways and orphan drug incentives for promising treatment candidates. This, combined with the rising focus on sleep health, advancements in personalized medicine, and increasing R&D investments, is expected to enhance therapeutic innovation and the market growth in the coming years.
Market Trends
Shift Toward Non-Dopaminergic Therapies and Personalized Treatment Approaches
There is a growing shift in the restless legs syndrome treatment landscape toward non-dopaminergic therapies, particularly due to concerns over long-term complications such as augmentation associated with dopamine agonists. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investing in alternative treatment modalities such as gabapentinoids, iron supplementation, and neuromodulation devices.
In September 2024, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) updated its guidelines to strongly recommend alpha‑2‑delta ligands (gabapentin, gabapentin enacarbil, pregabalin) and iron supplementation, while conditionally recommending against the routine use of dopamine agonists like pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine due to augmentation risks.
Rise of FDA-Cleared Neuromodulation Devices for Restless Legs Syndrome Management
The emergence of wearable neuromodulation devices offers non-pharmacologic alternatives for restless legs syndrome patients seeking relief without drug-related side effects. These devices deliver targeted electrical stimulation to modulate peripheral nerve activity and improve symptoms.
In April 2023, the U.S. FDA approved Noctrix Health’s NTX100 TOMAC System, a wearable neuromodulation device that delivers high-frequency, low-level electrical stimulation to the peroneal nerves to alleviate moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome in patients unresponsive to medication.
Market Opportunities
Expansion into Underserved and Aging Global Markets
Restless legs syndrome remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated across many low- and middle-income countries, despite its rising prevalence among aging populations in regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. These areas are experiencing rapid demographic shifts and increasing rates of comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease and diabetes, both established risk factors for restless legs syndrome.
According to the study “Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Restless Legs Syndrome in Psychiatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India,” published in January 2024 in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry and indexed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence was reported as 66.7% in patients with depression, 50% in those with anxiety, and 48% among individuals with somatoform disorders. Yet, awareness and diagnosis of RLS remained notably low.
However, limited access to specialists, low public awareness, and inadequate screening infrastructure continue to hinder treatment uptake in these regions. This presents a significant opportunity for pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and digital health providers to expand their footprint through awareness campaigns, affordable therapeutic solutions, and mobile diagnostic programs. Strategic collaborations with regional neurology clinics, sleep centers, and public healthcare systems could help bridge these gaps and drive earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Integration of Digital Health Tools for Symptom Tracking and Remote Therapy
Given Restless legs syndrome’s chronic and often nocturnal nature, there is a growing opportunity to deploy digital health solutions—such as mobile apps, wearable devices, and tele-neurology platforms—to monitor symptoms, sleep patterns, and treatment adherence in real-time. These technologies can support personalized care delivery while reducing the burden of frequent clinic visits, especially for elderly or mobility-limited patients.
According to the study “Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Restless Legs Syndrome Using Digital Phenotypes from Wearables and Smartphone Data,” published in May 2025 and indexed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a South Korean clinical study demonstrated a predictive model for RLS using digital phenotyping. The model combined smartphone self-reported data with biometric signals from wearable devices, achieving an AUC of up to 0.86 for diagnosing moderate RLS—a promising advancement toward real-time, app-based symptom tracking and early detection.
Analyst View
- The restless legs syndrome treatment market is undergoing a paradigm shift, fueled by aging demographics, therapeutic innovation, and expanding digital health integration. With the elderly population growing rapidly—particularly in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe—the global patient pool is widening. The increasing association of RLS with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and mental health disorders further underscores the need for systematic screening and timely intervention.
- Clinical advancements are reshaping the treatment landscape, especially with the growing emphasis on non-dopaminergic therapies such as gabapentinoids and iron supplements. These alternatives are gaining traction as safer, long-term solutions due to concerns over augmentation and tolerance linked to traditional dopamine agonists. Simultaneously, the approval of wearable neuromodulation devices, like the TOMAC System, signals a shift toward drug-free, device-based therapies, offering relief for patients unresponsive to conventional pharmacological approaches.
- Digital health is emerging as a vital enabler of personalized care. From symptom-tracking mobile apps and wearable sensors to tele-neurology platforms, technology is enhancing treatment adherence, real-time monitoring, and patient engagement—especially among mobility-limited or remote populations. These tools also present compelling opportunities to scale RLS management in underserved and low-resource settings.
- Looking ahead, the restless legs syndrome treatment market is poised to benefit from cross-sector collaboration between pharmaceutical firms, medtech innovators, and digital health players. As awareness grows, diagnostics improve, and treatment options diversify, the market is expected to evolve into a more patient-centered, globally accessible ecosystem focused on long-term symptom control, quality of life improvement, and equitable care delivery.
Recent Key Developments
- In January 2024, Noctrix Health, Inc. announced today that it had closed a US$ 40M Series C financing round led by Sectoral Asset Management with participation from other new investors Angelini Ventures, ResMed, and Asahi Kasei Corporation with strong support from insiders including OrbiMed and Treo Ventures. This infusion of capital will propel the advancement of Nidra Tonic Motor Activation (TOMAC) therapy towards its eagerly anticipated launch in the U.S. market. Nidra, a revolutionary new device, stands as the first and only approved treatment for drug-refractory Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a chronic condition that has debilitating impacts on sleep and quality of life of millions of adults worldwide.
Competitors Landscape
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Pfizer Inc.
- UCB Pharma
Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Market Segmentation
By Drug Class
- Dopaminergic Agents
- Ropinirole
- Rotigotine
- Opioids
- Anticonvulsants
- Gabapentin
By Distribution Channel
- Hospital Pharmacies
- Retail Pharmacies
- Online Pharmacies
Regional Insights
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Latin America
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of Latin America
- Europe
- Italy
- Germany
- U.K.
- Spain
- France
- Russia
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- South Korea
- India
- Japan
- China
- Australia
- ASEAN
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Middle East
- GCC Countries
- Israel
- Rest of Middle East
- Africa
- South Africa
- North Africa
- Central Africa