Quinine sulfate for leg cramps: does it work?
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of quinine in the prevention of nocturnal leg muscle cramps.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, crossover trial with four periods of observation, each lasting 2 weeks.


METHODS
General internal medicine outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Ambulatory outpatients who experienced an estimated two or more typical nocturnal leg cramps per week.


METHODS
200 mg of quinine taken at bedtime.


METHODS
Self-reported ratings of leg cramp frequency, duration, and intensity.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients completed the trial. During the 2 weeks patients used quinine, there was no statistically significant reduction in mean leg cramp number (quinine 3.5 vs placebo 4.2, P = 0.48), mean leg cramp duration (quinine 152 seconds vs placebo 163 seconds, P = 0.89), or patient ratings of severity using a 1 (low) to 10 (high) scale (quinine = 4.2 vs placebo = 4.0, P = 0.83).


CONCLUSIONS
No significant reduction in nocturnal leg cramp frequency, intensity, or duration could be found using nightly quinine in this study. Since quinine is not without the potential for side effects and drug interactions, clinicians need to carefully consider the likelihood of modest benefit associated with quinine against the potential for side effects and drug-drug interactions.
Sidorov
J
J
Dept. of General Internal Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822-1401.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011803:Quinine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011803:Quinine