Muscle, skeletal tranquillizers

CBZ-R agonist (18 nM) [ 10nM] [amnestic anxiolytic, skeletal muscle relaxant, tranquillizer] CBZ-R agonist (a2A-R, NMDA-Glu-R) (Flunitrazepam displacement) (— 100) [ataxic, excitatory, hallucinogenic, tremorigenic]... 

There is a very great demand for drugs for the relief of anxiety. This was formerly met by the use of alcohol, bromides or barbiturates, which carried the risk of abuse or dangerous toxicity. The first of the modern minor tranquilizers, introduced from 1946 onwards, were drugs described as skeletal muscle relaxants. These were mainly derivatives of polyhydric alcohols, but heterocyclic examples included metaxolone (161), which is related to the aryl ethers of glycerol, chlorzoxazone (162) and chlormezanone (163). Dantrolene sodium (164) is a muscle relaxant and CNS depressant. 

This use of tranquillizers is covered in Chapter 15. The effects of acepromazine and diazepam on skeletal muscle are explained further here. 

Some of this classification is not pure in that agents in some subcategories have multiple pharmacological properties that are frequently of clinical usefulness and not necessarily related to psychotropic effects. For example, some of the minor tranquilizers include members that have excellent skeletal muscle relaxant properties several are used as antiepileptics (e.g., diazepam). The diphenylmethane derivative hydroxyzine is a particularly good example of multiple pharmacology. In addition to its anxiolytic (antianxiety) property, it also exhibits the following clinically significant assets antihistaminic, adrenolytic, antiemetic, antispasmodic, hypothermic, and sedative effects. 

Tranquilizers are drugs essentially used in the management and, treatment of psychoses and neuroses. They specifically exert their action on the lower brain areas to produce emotional calmness and relaxation without appreciable hypnosis sedation euphoria or motor impairment. In addition many of these drugs also display clinically beneficial actions, for instance skeletal muscle relaxants, antihypertensive, antiemetic and antiepileptic properties. 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits very toxic fumes of Cl" and NOx Uses Medicine (tranquilizer) anxiolytic muscle relaxant (skeletal) antipsychotic general anesthetic... 

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