Mexiletine for muscle cramps in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind crossover trial

Autor: Dan Moore, Nicholas Parziale, Ross Mandeville, Michael D. Weiss, Namita Goyal, Martina Wiedau-Pazos, Craig M. McDonald, John Ravits, Robert G. Miller, Bjorn Oskarsson, Nanette C. Joyce, Merit Cudkowicz, Tahseen Mozaffar
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Muscle & Nerve. 58:42-48
ISSN: 0148-639X
Popis: Author(s): Oskarsson, Bjorn; Moore, Dan; Mozaffar, Tahseen; Ravits, John; Wiedau-Pazos, Martina; Parziale, Nicholas; Joyce, Nanette C; Mandeville, Ross; Goyal, Namita; Cudkowicz, Merit E; Weiss, Michael; Miller, Robert G; McDonald, Craig M | 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 l 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.
Databáze: OpenAIRE