Oral Supplementation with Taurine for Patients with Cirrhosis and Muscle Cramps

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Hepatic Cirrhosis; Muscle Cramps; Musculoskeletal - Other muscular and skeletal disorders; Oral and Gastrointestinal - Other diseases of the mouth, teeth, oesophagus, digestive system including liver and colon

• Registration Number: ACTRN12612000289819
• Lead Sponsor: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Brief Summary

Oral supplementation with 2 g taurine/d is safe and results in a clinically significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease. Taurine should be considered as a safe and effective intervention in the management of muscle cramps in individuals with chronic liver disease.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2012-03-12
• Study Completion: 2016-03-31
• Last Update Posted: 16 February 2021

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 49

Inclusion Criteria

Patients who present to liver clinic with hepatic cirrhosis and who experience muscle cramps more than three times/week
Abstinent from alcohol and intravenous drug use for 3 months prior to entry into study
If on methadone must be on methadone for 12 months or longer and must be dose stable for 3 months prior to entry into study

Exclusion Criteria

Muscle cramps less than two occasions/week
Abnormal levels potassium, magnesium and phosphate
Unstable diabetes or a blood sugar level > 15mMol at time of assessment for inclusion in the study
Known peripheral neuropathy
Known thyroid disease
Pulmonary hypertension
Known cardiac disease
Current or recent (within 3 months of assessment)intravenous drug use
Methadone use for less than 12 months
Current use of taurine enriched energy drinks

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified