Prevention of muscle cramps in haemodialysis patients by quinine sulphate.

Nine patients on maintenance haemodialysis with frequent muscle cramps were given 320 mg quinine sulphate or placebo (in an identical gelatin capsule) at the beginning of each dialysis for a period of 12 weeks. The frequency of cramps was significantly reduced during dialysis in patients receiving quinine sulphate. None of the haematological, auditory, or visual disturbances ascribed to quinine sulphate were noted.