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Leg cramps - unknown cause - Management
Should I use quinine for treating leg cramps?
- Quinine is generally not recommended for treating idiopathic leg cramps due to the poor benefit-to-risk ratio. However, a trial of quinine may be considered if self-care measures fail and leg cramps are frequent and affecting the person's quality of life:
- Prescribe 200–300 mg (at bedtime) for 4–6 weeks.
- Ask the person to monitor any benefit using a sleep and cramp diary.
- If beneficial, continue for 3 months, then aim to stop treatment to reassess ongoing need. If further treatment is required, review every 3–6 months.
- If no benefit is seen after 4 weeks, stop treatment.
- For more information on the adverse effects, contraindications, and drug interactions of quinine see the British National Formulary (www.bnf.org).
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