Treatment of muscle cramps during maintenance haemodialysis

The effect of a slowly released oral preparation of sodium chloride (Slow Sodium) on the frequency and severity of muscle cramps, on blood pressure, and on body weight was compared with that of placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial in 19 patients on maintenance haemodialysis for end-stage renal failure. A significant reduction in both the frequency and severity of cramps was found while the patients were receiving the sodium chloride preparation and no significant alteration in blood pressure or body weight was detected.