Muscle relaxants

Definition

Muscular relaxants are heterogeneous group of drugs prescribed for muscle relaxation, excepting the neuromuscular blocking agents . They are commonly used in clinical and therapeutic treatment of muscle spasm and immobility associated with strains, sprains, and injuries of the back and, to a lesser degree, injuries to the neck.

They have also been handy for the treatment of a variety of clinical conditions that have in common only the presence of skeletal muscle hyperactivity , for instance, the muscle spasms that can occur in multiple sclerosis .

Working Procedure

Muscle relaxants work by acting on the central nervous system. The working procedure of muscle relaxant is quite complicated, they do not directly the muscular or neuromuscular junction level but rather from an inhibition of more central polysynaptic neuronal. These agents have also been shown in some studies to demonstrate superior analgesia to either acetaminophen or aspirin, and it remains uncertain if muscle spasm is a prerequisite to their effectiveness as analgesics. They are generally prescribed for the treatment t of acute low back pain in an attempt to improve the initial limitations in range of motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain cycle.

Recommended dosage

The dosage of muscular relaxants depends on the patient and the type of drug. Make sure to check with your health care professional who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for the correct dosage. Always take muscle relaxants exactly as directed by your physician. Never take larger or more frequent doses, and do not take the drug for longer than directed.

Sedation: Side Effect

The most common adverse effect of muscle relaxant are vision changes, such as double vision or blurred vision; dizziness ; lightheadedness; drowsiness; and dry mouth . These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. They can also cause less common side effects, such as stomach cramps or pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation , diarrhea , hiccups , clumsiness or unsteadiness, confusion, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, flushed or red face, headache , heartburn , weakness, trembling, and sleep problems. More serious side effects are not common, but may occur. If any of the following side effects occur, check with the physician who prescribed the medicine as soon as possible: Breathing problems Swelling of the face, Fainting , Unusually fast or unusually slow heartbeat, Tightness in the chest Rash, itching , hives , or redness, Burning, stinging, red, or bloodshot eyes. There have been cases of serious, life-threatening liver problems in some patients using chlorzoxazone. The chances are rare but in such cases immediately consult your health care professional.

Drug Interactions

The use of muscle relaxants along with some other drugs like Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, sleep aids, some pain relievers, cold medicines, allergy medicines, and medicines for seizures. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline imipramine and desipramine,. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO), such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate).. Antispasmodic drugs , such as belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal) or dicyclomine (Bentyl) Barbiturates , such as phenobarbital High blood pressure drugs, that contain guanethidine such as Esimil or Ismelin can increase the effects of one or both drugs which under certain circumstances increase danger of side effects.

Other factors to be taken into Consideration

Be precautious if you are using muscle relaxants, they can cause dizziness , confusion or lightheadedness. The drugs may also cause blurred vision, clumsiness, or unsteadiness. For these reasons, anyone who takes these drugs should not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that might be dangerous until they have found out how the drugs affect them.

Avoid Muscle relaxants if you are allergic to muscle relaxants or any other foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances. In such cases take your physicians advice before opting for the medication.

Do not opt for the medication if you are breast feeding, pregnant or expecting to be pregnant, Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol , passes into breast milk and may make nursing babies drowsy or upset their stomachs. Whether other muscle relaxants pass into breast milk is unknown, but no evidence exists that they cause problems in nursing babies whose mothers take them.