He said new therapies could be developed from orexin receptor agonists, which mimic the effect of orexin.

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Isoflavone is a major class of phytoestrogens, naturally occurring chemicals that mimic the effect of the human hormone oestrogen.

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The health care provider will also be trying to distinguish common cramping from muscle diseases that can mimic it and be an uncommon side effect of commonly prescribed drugs used to lower cholesterol (such as cholestyramine) or decrease stomach acid (cimetidine or ranitidine).

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