title: Leg cramps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Involuntary, localised leg cramps are common and typically affect the calf muscles at night.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of treatments for idiopathic leg cramps? What are the effects of treatments for leg cramps in pregnancy? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to January 2014 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 16 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: analgesics; anti-epileptic drugs; calcium salts; diltiazem; magnesium salts; multivitamin and mineral supplements; quinine; sodium chloride; stretching exercises; verapamil; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine); and vitamin E.
authors.affiliation: Temple Sowerby Medical Practice, Penrith, UK.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D012492:Salts / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D012492:Salts