Leg cramps

Young et al., 2015 | BMJ Clin Evid | Systematic Review

Citation

Young Gavin. Leg cramps. BMJ Clin Evid. 2015-May-13;2015

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Involuntary, localised leg cramps are common and typically affect the calf muscles at night. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: 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.

Key Findings

We found 16 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Analgesics
• Anticonvulsants
• Dietary Supplements
• Humans
• Muscle Cramp
• Muscle Stretching Exercises
• Salts

Evidence Classification

• Level: Systematic Review
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
• Vertical: vitamin-b6

Provenance

• PMID: 25970567
• DOI: (not available)
• PMCID: PMC4429847
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09