L-carnitine for Muscle Cramps in Patients with Cirrhosis

Muscle cramps occur commonly in patients with cirrhosis and are associated with diminished quality of life. They are typically described as involuntary painful contractions of muscle groups during rest or sleep that last for seconds or minutes and are self-limiting. The mechanism is unclear but includes impairment in energy metabolism, derangement in electrolyte and volume status, and possibly nerve dysfunction. Carnitine deficiency might affect energy metabolism, thereby causing muscle cramps.

In an uncontrolled study, investigators assessed the efficacy of an 8-week course of L-carnitine (300 mg, 3 or 4 times daily) in 42 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and symptoms of muscle cramps occurring more than twice during the preceding 4 week…