Addiction muscle relaxants

Buspirone is an extremely specific drug that could possibly represent a new chemical class of anxiolytics—azaspirones. As an anxiolytic, its activity is equal to that of benzodiazepines however, it is devoid of anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties, which are characteristic of benzodiazepines. It does not cause dependence or addiction. The mechanism of its action is not conclusively known. It does not act on the GABA receptors, which occurs in benzodiazepine use however, it has a high affinity for seratonin (5-HT) receptors and a moderate affinity for dopamine (D2) receptors. Buspirone is effective as an anxiolytic. A few side effects of buspirone include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nervousness, fatigue, and weakness. This drug is intended for treatment of conditions of anxiety in which stress, muscle pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness, fear, etc. are observed in other words, conditions of anxiety not associated with somewhat common, usual, and everyday stress. Synonyms for buspirone are anizal, axoren, buspar, buspimen, buspinol, narol, travin, and others. 

The exact mechanism of action of most volatile substances remains unknown. Altered function of ionotropic receptors and ion channels throughout the central nervous system has been demonstrated for a few. Nitrous oxide, for example, binds to NMDA receptors and fuel additives enhance GABAa receptor function. Most inhalants produce euphoria increased excitability of the VTA has been documented for toluene and may underlie its addiction risk. Other substances, such as amyl nitrite ("poppers"), primarily produce smooth muscle relaxation and enhance erection, but are not addictive. With chronic exposure to the aromatic hydrocarbons (eg, benzene, toluene), toxic effects can be observed in many organs, including white matter lesions in the central nervous system. Management of overdose remains supportive. 

The quinazolone methaqualone (129 R = Me) was introduced as a sedative in 1965. It also has anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxant properties, but it has produced problems of addiction. Sedative effects are also produced by many antihistamines, and by tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine group. 

Benzodiazepines have anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant properties. They are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the western hemisphere because of their efficacy, safety, low addiction potential, minimal side effects, and high public demand for sedative... 

Alkaloids are classified according to their heterocyclic rings. For example, cocaine, a central nervous system stimulant, and atropine, a muscle relaxant, are examples of the tropane alkaloids in which a nitrogen appears in a bridge of a seven-membered ring structure. Nicotine, the addictive and toxic component of tobacco, is an example of the pyridine alkaloids in which a nitrogen appears as a member of a six atom aromatic ring. (Nicotine is an effective insecticide.) The addictive... 

The names and formulae of some of the psycholeptic compounds which cannot be classified in the major chemical categories so far considered are set out in Table 5.3. Meprobamate VIII) was one of the earliest used tranquillizers. It was developed from mephenesin VII), which was introduced as a muscle relaxant and was soon seen to have a sedative action too. In small doses, meprobamate is a sedative. In larger doses, it causes muscle relaxation and has been classed, with similar compounds, as a tranquillo-sedative . Like the barbiturates, it produces no sign of extrapyramidal or central autonomic stimulation. Well-authenticated reports of addiction to meprobamate have appeared . Both mephenesin and meprobamate produce muscle relaxation by inhibiting interneurones—and hence polysynaptic reflexes—in the spinal cord. Though not described as a hypnotic, meprobamate has been successfully used in the treatment of insomnia, perhaps because it reduces tension. 

In 1955, meprobamate (Figure 89.4) was introduced as a mild tranquilizer . It gained the epithet Happy Pills and was associated with abuse and habituation. In 1959, the drug was modified with an isopropyl group and marketed as a muscle relaxant, carisoprodol (Soma). Carisoprodol (Figure 89.5) is metabolized to meprobamate. Carisoprodol, like meprobamate, has addictive properties. Carisoprodol has been ranked number 14 of the 20 most abused mood-altering drugs in the USA [9,10]. 

Does the muscle relaxant you are considering have high potential for habituation or addiction Is your patient particularly at risk for habituation, compulsive use, or addiction ... 

In relation to their chemical structure and action, they can be classified into two categories. The first are phenanthrene alkaloids and are under international control morphine (MO), codeine (COD), and thebaine (TB), which act on the central nervous system and are used as analgesics, narcotics, and potentially addicting compounds (pain relievers). Heroin is synthesized from MO. The second group is isoquinoline alkaloids Papaverine (PV) and narcotine (also known as noscapine). Narcotine acts only to relax involuntary smooth muscles, for which it is considered an antitussive, and lacks addictive, analgesic, respiratory, narcotic, depressant, and sedative properties. Next to MO, which constitute about 10% by weight of raw opium, is the second most abundant alkaloid present in opium. The three last alkaloids (PV, narcotine, and narceine) are not under international control specially, narcotine and narceine which have scarcely any medical or other uses. Consequently, the five economically significant alkaloids of opium are MO, COD, TB, PV, and narcotine. 

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