Ask the doctor
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Q.It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night. Is that true?
A.Tonic water—and the quinine it contains—have been promoted for preventing leg cramps for decades despite the lack of evidence that they are effective. Quinine is FDA-approved only for treating malaria and is sold with a warning against using it to treat leg cramps or muscle pain, because it increases the risk of bleeding and heart rhythm disturbances. Tonic water contains no more than 83 mg of quinine per liter—a much lower concentration than the 500 to 1,000 mg in the therapeutic dose of quinine tablets. Drinking a few ounces of tonic water shouldn't be harmful, but it isn't likely to prevent your leg cramps.
There are a few other things you can do, however. Because cramps are often caused by dehydration, make sure to get enough fluids. But avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating. (Don't mix gin with that tonic!) Stretching during the day or before bed may also help prevent them.
Once a cramp starts, getting out of bed and standing on the affected leg may abort it. Using ice or heat and gently massaging the affected muscle may provide some relief.
— by Hope Ricciotti, M.D., and Hye-Chun Hur, M.D., M.P.H.
Former Editors in Chief,Harvard Women's Health Watch
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
FAQs
Drinking a few ounces of tonic water shouldn't be harmful, but it isn't likely to prevent your leg cramps. There are a few other things you can do, however. Because cramps are often caused by dehydration, make sure to get enough fluids. But avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating.
What is the best supplement for nighttime leg cramps? ›
What vitamins may help with leg cramps? No vitamin is likely to help with a leg cramp 100% of the time. But some experts do recommend that you take a vitamin B12 complex or magnesium for leg cramps.
How can I stop my legs from cramping at night? ›
Nocturnal Leg Cramp Prevention
- Stretch during the day and before bed. Focus on your calf and foot muscles.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Move around during the day to exercise your feet and legs.
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
- Sleep under loose covers, especially if you sleep on your back.
However, quinine is not without adverse effects, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdrew the indication for treatment of muscle cramps because of reports of serious adverse effects such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and arrhythmias.
Is there an alternative to quinine for night cramps? ›
Conclusion: Are there any alternatives to quinine for leg cramps? Data are available supporting the potential efficacy of verapamil, gabapentin, carisoprodol, and orphenadrine in the general population, and vitamin E in the dialysis population.
What can I drink to prevent leg cramps at night? ›
It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.
Does tonic water help with leg cramps? ›
The quinine in tonic water is very diluted. Some people claim tonic water may help with leg cramps, but this usage is not FDA-approved, and further research is necessary.
Does drinking water before bed prevent leg cramps? ›
Nighttime leg cramps are sudden, painful muscle contractions. Common causes include medications, pregnancy, dehydration, and exercise. Prevent cramps by staying hydrated and stretching or massaging your legs before bed.
What is the number one cause of leg cramps at night? ›
In general, they're likely the result of tired muscles and nerve problems. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. Pregnant people also are more likely to have night leg cramps. Kidney failure, diabetic nerve damage and problems with blood flow are known to cause night leg cramps.
How to stop leg cramps at night mayo clinic? ›
To relieve night leg cramps, try to:
- Stretch the leg and flex the foot up toward the face.
- Massage the muscle with ice.
- Walk or shake the leg.
- Take a hot shower and point the water at the cramped muscle, or soak in a warm bath.
If you've had a bad reaction to tonic water or quinine in the past, you should not try it again. You may also be advised against taking quinine or drinking tonic water if you: have an abnormal heart rhythm, especially a prolonged QT interval. have low blood sugar (because quinine can cause your blood sugar to drop)
Is it okay to drink tonic water every day? ›
A liter normally has 83 mg of quinine. An eight-ounce glass would therefore have roughly 20 mg, about one-tenth the lowest dose doctors prescribed for leg cramps. Even three glasses daily should be OK as long as you are not sensitive to quinine.
Does Schweppes tonic water contain quinine? ›
Schweppes Tonic Water is a good mixer with gin for a good old fashioned gin and tonic. It contains quinine which can be bitter but is not here. There is a balance to the taste when actually used in a mixed co*cktail.
What is the best thing to take for night cramps? ›
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve tenderness after a cramp. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can work as well.
Why did the US ban quinine? ›
In 1994, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned quinine from over-the-counter drugs used to treat leg cramps, saying it was not safe and effective for that use. Then in 2006 FDA ordered companies to stop marketing unapproved products containing quinine.
What is the best vitamin for leg cramps? ›
The Top Vitamins for Leg Cramps
- Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is also commonly known as thiamin. ...
- Vitamin B12. If you are not getting enough vitamin B12, then you may experience muscle cramps as a result. ...
- Vitamin D. Some experts believe vitamin D deficiencies may result in muscle aches and pains. ...
- Magnesium. ...
- Potassium. ...
- Zinc. ...
- Biotin.
Additionally, certain vitamins and minerals impact muscle function, particularly potassium and magnesium. A significant body of research has found that increasing your magnesium intake can help with the frequency of night time leg cramps, especially for pregnant women.
What vitamin is lacking when you get muscle cramps at night? ›
A potential cause of leg cramps is a vitamin deficiency, though research into this is ongoing. Vitamins B1, B12, and D may help relieve them, along with potassium and magnesium. This article discusses whether vitamin deficiencies can cause leg cramps, home and medical treatment, and when a person should see a doctor.
What is your body lacking when you have severe leg cramps? ›
Not enough minerals.
Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.
What is the drug of choice for nocturnal leg cramps? ›
Muscle relaxants: Prescription medications such as orphenadrine, carisoprodol (Soma), and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) relax the muscles and may help treat leg cramps.
