Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Front 1

SMRs that treat muscle spasticity

Back 1

Dantrium

Front 2

SMRs that treat both muscle spasticity and spasms

Back 2

baclofen, benzodiazepines, tizanadine and clonidine

Front 3

SMRs for muscle spasms

Back 3

- soma, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, robaxin, norflex

Front 4

M.O.A and ADRs of baclofen

Back 4

inhibits spinal reflexes; chemically similar to GABA, CNS depressant ADRS (respriratory depression, muscle weakness)

Front 5

M.O.A and ADRs of benzodiazepines

Back 5

GABA agonist, General CNS depressant

Front 6

M.O.A and ADRs of Tizanadine

Back 6

centrally acting alpha 2 agonist, General CNS ADRs, produce less muscle weakness than benzos or baclofen

Front 7

List the benzodiazepines with the best activity in treating muscle spasms & spasticity.

Back 7

Valium and klonopin

Front 8

List conditions associated with muscle spasticity.

Back 8

Muscle spasticity refers to a group of movement disorders of CNS origin characterized by heightened muscle tone, spasm, and loss of dexterity
-Common causes of spasticity are multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, traumatic spinal cord lesions, & stroke
-Spasticity is managed with drugs and physical therapy
-Pharmacological treatment of spasticity includes baclofen and diazepam
-In the management of spasticity, these drugs decrease flexor and extensor spasms and suppress resistance to passive movement without decreasing muscle strength

Front 9

List the general mechanism of action and ADRs for the SMRs used to treat muscle spasm.

Back 9

-The exact mechanism of action of these drugs as skeletal muscle relaxants is unknown. They may work through sedative properties, GABA-related properties, and/or activity upon the brain stem and spinal cord
-More effective than placebo but less effective than NSAIDs
-There is no clear evidence that one SMR is better than another
-Current guidelines recommend short-term use only (2 weeks); however, the average duration of therapy is 2 years

ADRs-CNS depressant effects: drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, somnolenc-

Front 10

List the SMRs with strong anticholinergic side effects.

Back 10

Norflex, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone

Front 11

Discuss the risks vs. benefits of the SMRs in older adults.

Back 11

Could make the older adults quite drowsy and lethargic causing an increase in falls and accidents

Front 12

Discuss the relative efficacy of the SMRs for muscle spasms as compared to placebo and NSAIDs.

Back 12

More effective than placebo; however less effective than NSAIDs for muscle spasms

Front 13

Typical Duration of SMRs

Back 13

Does not treat chronic injuries; better for acute type injures