Chapter 25 - Drugs for Muscle Spasm and Spasticity

Question 1

Muscle Spasm - def

Answer 1

involuntary contraction of muscle or muscle group. It is painful and decreases level of functioning.

Question 2

Causes of muscle spasm - 4

Answer 2

Epilepsy, Hypocalcemia, Pain syndromes, trauma

Question 3

Drug therapy for Muscle Spasms -

Answer 3

physical measures - immobilization of part of body, cold compresses.
Meds = aspirin.

Centrally acting muscle relaxants - Diazepam, Tizanidine

Question 4

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants - MOA

Answer 4

inhibition of pre-synaptic motor neurons.

Diazepam = enhances GABA.
Tizanidine - through agonist action of pre-synapetic alpah-2 receptor.

Question 5

What do we use Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants for?

Answer 5

Local muscle spasm, local muscle pain, and range of motion problems.

Question 6

Adverse effects - Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants -

Answer 6

CNS depression, hepatic toxicity, physical dependence.

Question 7

Spasticity - def

Answer 7

group of movement disorders of CNS origin.

Question 8

What causes spasticity?

Answer 8

MS, Cerebral Palsy

Question 9

Characteristics of Spasticity -

Answer 9

heightened muscle tone, spasm, loss of dexterity (movement.)

Question 10

Drugs for treating spasticity -

Answer 10

Baclofen (Lioresal), Diazepam (valium), Dantrolen (Dantrium)

Question 11

Baclofen (Lioresal) - what does it do?

Answer 11

Mimics action of GABA

Question 12

Diazepam (Valium) - what does it do?

Answer 12

Mimics action of GABA, acts in central nervous system.

Question 13

Dantrolen (Dantrium) - what does it do?

Answer 13

acts directly on skeletal muscle by suppressing release of calcium from Sarcoplasmic Reticulum. No effect on smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.

Question 14

Baclofen - acts where?

Answer 14

In the spinal cord. Suppresses hyperactive reflexes.

Question 15

Baclofen - adverse effects.

Answer 15

No antidote for overdose, gradual withdrawal over 1-2 weeks. Cns depressant. GI symptoms. Urinary retention.

Question 16

Dantrolene - Dantrium - Suppresses the release of calcium from the ___

Answer 16

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum.

Question 17

What is Dantrolene used for?

Answer 17

MS, Cerebral Palsy, malignant Hyperthermia.

Question 18

What are some adverse effects of Dantrolene?

Answer 18

Hepatic toxicity, diarrhea, acne-like rash.