Painkillers
Before anything else, it must be said that painkillers for leg cramps should be the last line of defense to help remedy the pain and the muscle contractions. In most cases, painkillers will not make the cramps disappear, but they will help with the pain resulting from involuntary muscle contractions.
Either NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, may be used to help ease the pain. Both are over-the-counter pain relievers that can help manage pain. There are also prescription painkillers, such as opioids, which are not recommended for leg cramps.
Once the pain subsides or becomes more bearable, it is highly recommended to do other remedies such as massaging the affected area, stretching, applying heat, and rehydrating. This is because the painkiller will relieve the pain, but it will not remedy the actual leg cramp.
Use painkillers sparingly as research has shown that long-term use of painkillers to remedy inflammation may affect long-term tissue healing and recovery.
