Treatments and drug for muscle cramp

Treatments and drug for muscle cramp

You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. Your doctor can show you stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well hydrated also can help.

For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor may prescribe a medication to relax your muscles.
Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staff

Taking vitamin B complex supplements may help manage leg cramps. However, more research is needed to confirm this benefit.

Always talk with your doctor before taking a new dietary supplement. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of the supplement, alert you to any potential interactions with your current medications, and recommend the right starting dosage for you.

Lifestyle and home remedies
* Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly. If you’re unable to stand, try pulling the top of your foot on the affected side toward your head while your leg is in a straightened position. This will also help ease a back thigh (hamstring) cramp. For a front thigh (quadriceps) cramp, use a chair to steady yourself and try pulling your foot on the affected side up toward your buttock.
* Apply cold or heat. Use a cold pack to relax tense muscles. Use a warm towel or heating pad later if you have pain or tenderness, or take a hot bath.