Mexiletine for muscle cramps in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind crossover trial.
Muscle Nerve
; 2018 Mar 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29510461
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
More than 90% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients have muscle cramps, but evidence-based treatments have not been available.METHODS:
A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of mexiletine 150 mg twice daily was conducted in ALS patients requesting treatment of symptomatic muscle cramps.RESULTS:
Muscle cramp frequency was reduced in 18 of 20 patients; 13 reductions were attributed to treatment (P < 0.05). The average reduction, based on t tests, was 1.8 cramps per day (a reduction from 5.3 with placebo to 3.5 with mexiletine). The estimated reduction of cramp severity was 15 units on a 100-unit scale (P = 0.01) from a baseline average of 46. No effect on fasciculations was noted. One patient discontinued the study because of dizziness, and another patient discontinued the study to start open-label mexiletine therapy. No serious adverse event occurred.DISCUSSION:
Mexiletine is a well tolerated and effective medication for controlling the symptom of muscle cramps in ALS. Muscle Nerve, 2018.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Language:
En
Journal:
Muscle Nerve
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos