From the Research
Medication for Foot Muscle Cramps
- Quinine is a medication that has been used to treat muscle cramps, including foot muscle cramps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- The efficacy of quinine in treating muscle cramps has been studied in several trials, with some showing a significant reduction in cramp frequency, intensity, and duration 1, 2
- However, quinine has also been associated with adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, and its use has been cautioned, especially in elderly patients and those with renal failure 1, 2, 3, 5
- Alternative treatments for muscle cramps have been suggested, including magnesium, verapamil, gabapentin, carisoprodol, and orphenadrine 3, 4, 5
- The American Academy of Neurology has recommended that quinine derivatives be avoided for routine use in the management of muscle cramps due to the potential for toxicity, but may be considered for individual therapeutic trials in select patients 5
Dosage and Administration
- The most commonly used quinine dosage is 300 mg/day, with a range of 200 to 500 mg/day 1
- Quinine is typically taken at night to help prevent nocturnal leg cramps 2, 3
Safety and Efficacy
- Quinine has been shown to be effective in reducing muscle cramp frequency, intensity, and duration, but its use is cautioned due to the potential for adverse effects 1, 2, 5
- The safety and efficacy of quinine have been studied in several trials, with moderate quality evidence supporting its use in treating muscle cramps 1, 5