Muscle spasms, drugs used

For acute muscle spasms drug used for treatment of tetanus. 

Cyclobenzaprine is structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants. It acts at the brain stem level. It is used as an adjuvant agent for relieving muscle spasms associated with severe diseased conditions of the muscle. A synonym of this drug is flexeril. 

DRUGS USED TO TREAT ACUTE LOCAL MUSCLE SPASM... 

The depressant effect of barbiturates is often sought by persons who are self-medicating for amdety-related problems or insomnia. Drugs of the benzodiazepine family (Librium, Valium, and Xanax) are also legitimately prescribed for the treatment of anxiety as well as muscle spasms or convulsions. However, doctors and patients must be careful because prolonged or excessive use can lead to dependence. Illegal use often involves forged prescriptions or the cooperation of illicit doctors. 

Intramuscular. The large quantity of skeletal muscle in the body allows this route to be an easily accessible site for parenteral administration. Intramuscular injections can be used to treat a problem located directly in the injected muscle. For example, botu-linum toxin and other substances can be injected directly into hyperexcitable muscles to control certain types of muscle spasms or spasticity (see Chapter 13).7,78 Alternatively, intramuscular injection can be used as a method for a relatively steady, prolonged release of the drug into the systemic circulation to control conditions such as psychosis,2 or to administer certain vaccines. 

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to treat conditions associated with hyperexcitable skeletal muscle— specifically, spasticity and muscle spasms. Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, spasticity and muscle spasms represent two distinct abnormalities. The use of relaxant drugs, however, is similar in each condition because the ultimate goal is to normalize muscle excitability without a profound decrease in muscle function. Considering the number of rehabilitation patients with muscle hyperexcitability that is associated with either spasm or spasticity, skeletal muscle relaxants represent an important class of drugs to the rehabilitation specialist. 

DRUGS commonly used to treat skeletal muscle spasms ... 

Consequently, polysynaptic inhibitors can help provide short-term relief for muscle spasms associated with certain musculoskeletal conditions, and they may work synergistically with physical therapy and other interventions during acute episodes of back pain, neck pain, and so forth. Nonetheless, they have some rather serious side effects and potential for abuse, and the long-term use of these drugs should be discouraged. 

Drugs Used to Treat Acute Local Muscle Spasm... 

In re Adamson, 275 F.2d 952 (CCPA 1960). A spasmolytic drug is used to prevent muscle spasms, particularly spasms in smooth muscle. 

Benzodiazepine psychoactive drugs that are used for anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms and seizures. 

It turned out that the nearly discarded substance had a novel structure, 5, a chlordiazepoxide. It was developed further and became known under the trade name Librium , which was the first antianxiety agent. Librium became the lead compound for the development of many other compounds with related structures. The best known is the diazepam Vh/ium , 6, a tranquilizer used to treat anxiety, muscle spasm, and symptoms of epilepsy. Today, about 40 diazepines are in the market. Nearly forgotten on the laboratory shelf, Librium and Valium became blockbuster drugs that fueled the growth of the Roche company. (Drugs are called blockbusters when sales are much higher than US 1 billion per year.)... 

These drugs are usually used to treat patients with psychotic or other serious related illnesses. They have common side effects such as muscle spasms, restlessness, and Parkinsonism. However, these drugs are considered safe, because the side effects are transient. Clozaril, 77, is the... 

Drugs that provide muscle relaxation by an action on the central nervous system or on the muscle itself are not useful for this purpose in surgery they are insufficiently selective and full relaxation, even if achievable, is accompanied by general cerebral depression. But there is a place for dmgs that reduce spasm of the voluntary muscles without impairing voluntary movement. Such drugs can be useful in spastic states, low back s5mdrome, and rheumatism with muscle spasm. 

The BZD site is the most thoroughly studied of the three modulatory sites and numerous drugs have been identified that bind to it. About a dozen of these are currently marketed for treating disorders such as generalized anxiety, panic disorders, depression, some forms of epilepsy (e.g. absence seizures), febrile seizures, some sleep disorders (e.g. insomnia), and muscle spasms and cramps and for use as anaesthetics. Flumazenil (11), a BZD antagonist, is currently marketed for treating BZD agonist overdose. 

The CNS contains a wide variety of neurotransmitters and high concentrations of receptors. Mechanisms of action of many drugs are often complex combinations of receptor-based actions. Some of the most widely used (and abused) drugs are hypnotics/sedatives, for treatment of insonmia. Barbiturates such as amylo-barbitone have been used for many years, but suffer from side-effects and are addictive. Thiopentone sodium salt (sodium pentothal), however, is very useful as a short-acting intravenous anaesthetic. The benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), are safer drags for insomnia and also can be used for treatment of anxiety and muscle spasms. Zolpidem (Ambien) is a newer and more selective hypnotic. 

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