7 SKELETAL MUSCLE RELAXANTS Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is skeletal muscle relaxants used for?
Hyperexcitable skeletal muscle. Spasticity muscle spasm
Occurs to pt. With injury to the central nervous system
Spasticity
A characteristic of spasticity
Velocity-dependent
What is the mechanism of injury for spasticity
Lesion on spinal cord or brain
Used to describe the increased tension often seen in skeletal muscle
Spasm
Characteristic of spasm
Continuous tonic contraction
What are the specific agents used muscle spasms?
Diazepam
Polysynaptic Inhibitors
This medication increases the central inhibitory effects of GABA; oldest medication for treatment of muscle spasms
Diazepam
Adverse effects of diazepam
Sedation
Tolerance, physical dependence
Overdose
These drugs may decrease polysynaptic reflex activity in the spinal cord; decrease alpha motor neuron excitability
Polysynaptic Inhibitors
What is the use of polysynaptic inhibitors
Adjuncts to rest and physical therapy
What are the agents used in spasticity
Baclofen
Intrathecal Baclofen
Dantrolene Sodium
Diazepam
Gabapentin
Tizanidine
A derivative of central inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA; inhibitory effect on alpha motor neuron; decrease firing
Baclofen
A delivery of a drug directly to the subarachnoid space
Intrathecal Baclofen
Only muscle relaxant available that exert its effects directly on the skeletal muscle cell
Dantrolene Sodium
Used in patients with spasticity resulting from cord lesions
Diazepam
Cause inhibitions in the spinal cord in a similar manner to GABA
Gabapentin
Classified as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
Tizanidine
A common type of botox used for therapeutic uses
Botulinum Toxin Type A
Botox for patients with immunity
Botulinum Toxin Type B
Where do muscle relaxants get absorbed in?
GI Tract
oral route
These two can be injected to treat spasticity caused by faster onset
Diazepam and Dantrolene
