Nocturnal Leg Cramps Treatments

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. If no specific cause can be found, treatment options include the following:

When cramps occur, pull against them with your leg muscles. Also, grab your foot (feet) and pull up.
Standing on the affected leg often stops the cramping.
Massage and hot or cold treatments will help the muscles relax.

Medications

None of these medicines has earned full approval for either safety or efficacy. Quinine , while often effective to prevent cramps, has a significant risk of major allergic reactions. The other prescription medications carry risks as well. So they are not generally recommended. They are most often used in only severe cases.

Over-the-Counter

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl)
Vitamin E 800 U/day
Calcium
Magnesium

Prescription

Quinine sulfate
Simple muscle relaxants (eg, meprobamate , Equanil, Robaxin )
Verapamil hydrochloride (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
Chloroquine phosphate (Aralen)
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2023 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.