muscle relaxants

Question 1

what drug class would be used to treat acute muscle spasms caused by:
anxiety
inflammation
pain/ trauma
cerebral palsy
stroke
MS
neurological damage
spinal cord injuries

Answer 1

skeletal muscle relaxants

Question 2

Baclofen
Botulinum Toxins A+B
Cyclobenzaprine
Tizanidine

These are examples of what drug class?

Answer 2

muscle relaxants

Question 3

Muscle relaxants like Metaxalone will also _________ the CNS.

Answer 3

depress

Question 4

rheumatic disorders are a contraindication of muscle relaxants because that pain and the spams are a result of ____________ in the joints rather than in the muscles.

Answer 4

inflammation

Question 5

You need to be cautious giving a muscle relaxer to someone with epilepsy or a seizure condition because:

Answer 5

it can lower the seizure threshold, which makes it more likely for a seizure to occur

cardiac issues are also a caution because the heart is a muscle

Question 6

what are the 4 main side/ adverse effects of muscle relaxants?

Answer 6

-dizziness (fall risk)
-drowsiness (fall risk)
-dependence
-withdrawal symptoms w/ abrupt cessation

Question 7

Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant but it is also used to treat malignant hyperthermia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Describe each of these reactions and their cause.

Answer 7

MH - this is a rapid increase in body temperature + muscle rigidity during surgery from anesthesia

NMS - this is also a rapid increase in temperature with muscle rigidity caused by antipsychotic medications

Question 8

drowsiness
dizziness
muscle weakness
bleeding
seizures
hepatitis (hepatotoxic)

These are side/ adverse effects of which muscle relaxant?

Answer 8

Dantrolene

Question 9

How long can it take for baclofen to have a therapeutic effect?

Answer 9

it can take a few hours or up to a few weeks

Question 10

Diazepam is a muscle relaxant that is also used to treat ________.

Answer 10

anxiety

Question 11

What is the drug of choice for muscle spasticity especially for paraplegic and quadriplegic patients?

Answer 11

Baclofen

Question 12

Hyperkinesia is an abnormal increase in motor function, this can be aggravated when baclofen is taken with _______.

Answer 12

Lithium

Question 13

Intrathecally administered means that the medication is given directly to the spinal cord. Which drug can be given this way?

Answer 13

Baclofen