A New Treatment for Nocturnal Leg Crampsa

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Abstract
Twenty women and 7 men with nocturnal leg cramps were included in the present study. The majority were in the age group of 40 to 80 years. The underlying cause of cramps included thrombophlebitis and other vascular disorders, pregnancy, profound diuresis after the administration of Mercuhydrin, and a miscellaneous category. Seven patients had cramps of unknown origin. Of the 24 patients who recieved the active drug, the therapeutic benefits reported by 19 were described as excellent, and 5 were satisfactory. The 3 patients who received placebos and the 3 patients who were alternated between placebos and active drug, had no diminution in the frequency or severity of night cramps while on placebos. Those patients who improved while taking the active drug had a return of symptoms when the drug was discontinued. The benefits of therapy with methocarbamol are comparable to those of quinidine with the added advantage that methocarbamol is nontoxic in the dosages used and has no deleterious effect on normal muscle tone.

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