The Role of Palmitoylethanolamide, an Autacoid, in the Symptomatic Treatment of Muscle Cramps: Three Case Reports and Review of Literature

Abstract

Physicians frequently see patients suffering from muscular cramps. Diagnosis of muscular cramps in general is not complex and can mostly be based on history and physical examination only. However, there is no clear evidence for the efficacy of pharmacological or other treatments for muscular cramps, apart from magnesium salts in pregnancy-associated cramps. New therapies are therefore urgently needed. We present three patients with treatment-refractory muscular cramps who responded favorably to treatment with the supplement and endogenous lipid messenger, the autacoid palmitoylethanolamide (PEA).