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Amlodipine reduces vismodegib-induced muscle cramps in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome

Patients with basal cell nevus syndrome who used amlodipine daily reduced Erivedge-induced muscle cramps at 8-week follow-up, according to recent study results.

“The therapeutic benefit of amlodipine was evident within 2 weeks; therefore, we recommend a 2-week trial of amlodipine treatment for vismodegib-related muscle cramps with continued use if successful,” Mina S. Ally, MD, and colleagues wrote.

The study included eight patients in two clinical trials analyzing the use of Erivedge (vismodegib, Genentech) for the prevention of basal cell carcinoma. The patients received amlodipine 10 mg a day for 8 weeks to reduce muscle cramps. The mean age of the patients was 54 years and patients had received vismodegib for a mean of 14 months before beginning amlodipine treatment.

Patients who took amlodipine reported a 5.8% reduction in weekly muscle cramp frequency per week during the 8-week period. The researchers reported no significant difference regarding muscle cramp duration, severity and night awakening during the same period.

Ally and colleagues also followed nine patients who were taking vismogedib, but not amlodipine, and found an increase in muscle cramp frequency; however, this increase was not significant. Patients who did not take amlodipine also had no significant differences in muscle cramp duration, severity, and night awakening during the 8-week period. – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: Ally reports no relevant financial disclosures. The researchers reported research support for this clinical trial from Genentech. Please see the full study for other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.