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Leg cramps

Overview

Open all pages about Leg cramps

The main symptom of leg cramps is a sudden pain in a leg muscle that lasts a short time before going away.

Stretching and massaging your leg muscles can help with leg cramps. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease the pain after the cramps have stopped.

A GP may be able to suggest stretches and massages to help ease your leg cramps. They may prescribe a medicine called quinine if these do not help.

Leg cramps can sometimes be caused by ageing, doing lots of exercise, dehydration or pregnancy.

Leg cramps are sudden pains in your legs caused by your leg muscles becoming tight.

Page last reviewed: 01/12/2023
Next review due: 01/12/2026