Hemodialysis-associated
muscle cramps (HAMC) are a common complication during
hemodialysis (HD) sessions. A number of pharmacologic agents have been evaluated to prevent and or diminish HAMC; however, none of them has an established role. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the possible effect of
gabapentin on HAMC. In a double-blinded clinical trial, we compared the possible effect of
gabapentin with a placebo in prevention and or diminishing episodes of HAMC in HD patients who had experienced frequent intradialytic
muscle cramps. At first, placebo was given before each dialysis session for four weeks and then, after a two-week washout period, 300 mg of
gabapentin was given before each dialysis session for four weeks to verify the effect of
gabapentin on HAMC. Overall, 15 patients (seven men and eight women; mean age, 52.02 years) with frequent intradialytic
muscle cramps were enrolled in the study. The incidence of symptomatic
muscle cramp decreased in the
gabapentin group compared with the placebo group, with a significant difference between them (P = 0.001). The intensity of
muscle cramps also decreased in the
gabapentin group (P = 0.001). There was no significant association between HAMC in male and female patients (P = 0. 397), mean age of HD patients (P = 0.226) and cause of
end-stage renal disease (P = 0.551). According to the results of our study,
gabapentin prescription before each HD session significantly reduced the frequency and the intensity of
muscle cramps during HD without any major side-effects.