Drugs For Muscle Spasm And Spasticity

Front 1

Diazepam (valium)

Back 1

Muscle spasm and spasticity drug
-centrally acting muscle relaxant
-acts in CNS
-mimics action of GABA

Adverse effect:
-sedation=often dose/compliance limiting (start low go slow)
-physical dependence: taper of very slowly

Front 2

Tizanidine

Back 2

muscle spasm and spasticity drug
-centrally acting muscle relaxant
-not commonly used
inhibits presynaptic motor neurons in CNS by agonist action of alpha 2 receptor)

Front 3

Baclofen (Lioresal)

Back 3

muscle spasm drug
-acts in spinal cord to wuppress hyperactive reflexes
-mechanism unknown
-effective for MS, CP, cord injury, but NOT stroke, Parkinson's or Huntingtons
ADR:
-no antidote for overdose (coma and respiratory depression)
-gradual withdrawal over 1-2 weeks to avoid what may be physical dependence
-CNS depressant
-GI symptoms: initially OK
-urinary retention

Front 4

Dantrolene

Back 4

muscle spasm drug
-acts directly on skeletal muscle
-suppresses the release of calcium from the SR w/in skeletal muscles (usual therapeutic doses affect cardiac and smooth muscle very little)
-works for virtually every cause
S/E:
-decreases muscle strength (due to mechanism)
-Hepatotoxicity (dose related; women over 35)
-GI and drowsiness