Drugs to Relieve Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Drugs to Relieve Nocturnal Leg Cramps

• Earlier quinine sulphate was used to treat severe leg cramps. However in 2006 the FDA has withdrawn quinine sulphate from the market. Quinine medications can have adverse side effects. The only FDA approved quinine sulphate preparation in the US is Qualaquin. But manufacturers of qualaquin do not recommend its use for treating nocturnal leg cramps since it may have number of side effects including life-threatening bleeding problems.(3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Managing Nocturnal Leg Cramps - Calf-stretching Exercises and Cessation of Quinine Treatment: A Factorial Randomised Controlled Trial
  
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• Muscle relaxants and topical creams containing vitamin E may be recommended.

• Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) has been filed with the FDA for its action on reducing nocturnal leg cramps.
• Some studies have shown that nocturnal leg cramping often responds to 400-800 IU of vitamin E per day.