[Efficacy of levocarnitine for tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced painful muscle cramps in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2016 Apr;57(4):489-91. doi: 10.11406/rinketsu.57.489.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Muscle cramps are side effects commonly associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Patients suffering from muscle cramps are treated with various medications such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin supplements, but these therapies are often ineffective. We report two patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who developed muscle cramps caused by TKI. These patients were treated successfully with levocarnitine. Both of our cases revealed the beneficial effects of levocarnitine treatment on TKI-induced muscle cramps.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Cramp / chemically induced
  • Muscle Cramp / drug therapy*
  • Pain / etiology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Carnitine