Muscle Cramps Treatments Guideline

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Muscle Cramps Treatments Guideline

(from the Neuropathy Association http://www.neuropathy.org)

We are working with the American Academy of Neurology to disseminate the

recently published guideline for the symptomatic treatment of muscle cramps.

The evidence-based guideline from the AAN recommends that the drug quinine,

although effective, should generally be avoided for treatment of routine muscle

cramps due to uncommon but serious side effects.

Led by Hans D. Katzberg, M.D., of Stanford University and a member of the AAN,

the guideline was developed by a group of physicians who analyzed all published

articles that met inclusion criteria of prospective trials evaluating the

efficacy of a particular treatment on muscle cramps as a primary or secondary

outcome. The guideline is published in the February 23, 2010, issue of

Neurology®, the medical journal of the AAN.

http://www.aan.com/globals/axon/assets/6904.pdf

According to Dr. Katzberg, " It's important for people to know that quinine

should be considered only when cramps are very disabling, when no other drugs

relieve the symptoms, and when side effects are carefully monitored. It should

also be used only after the affected person is informed about quinine's

potentially serious side effects. "

Muscle cramps are involuntary contractions or tightening of a muscle or muscle

group. They are usually painful and occur with neurological disorders such as

peripheral neuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's

disease). They can also occur with hypothyroidism, low calcium levels in the

blood, alcoholism, drug use, pregnancy, or poor nutrition. However, the cause is

not always known. Dr. Katzberg confirms, " If you have muscle cramps, you should

see your doctor to determine the cause. Sometimes the cramps are due to a

serious underlying medical condition that needs treatment. "

The guideline recommends that the drug quinine, although effective, should be

avoided for treatment of routine muscle cramps due to uncommon but serious side

effects. The guideline also found that naftidrofuryl, diltiazem, and vitamin B

complex (30 mg of B6) may be considered for use in the treatment of muscle

cramps, but more research is needed on their safety and effectiveness.

The guideline authors also reviewed studies on the use of calf stretching to

treat muscle cramps, but there was not enough evidence to determine whether it

is an effective therapy. The guideline did not evaluate treatments for muscle

cramps due to muscle diseases, kidney diseases, menstruation, pregnancy, or

excessive exercise, heat or dehydration.