Musculoskeletal Agents Flashcards
Muscle Spasms
Involuntary contractions of a muscle or muscle group. If the pattern becomes fixed may lead to decreased level of functioning.
Why muscle spasms happen?
- Excessive use/injury/pain
- Overmedication; use of psychotherapeutics
(dystonia/spasticity) - Debilitating neurological disorders
- Epilepsy
- Hypocalcemia
Non-pharm treatments for muscle spasms?
- Heat/cold
- Hydrotherapy
- Ultrasound
- Exercises
- Massage
Pharmacological agents to treat muscle spasms?
- Analgesics
- Anti-inflammatories
- Muscle Relaxants
Muscle Relaxants actions?
- Most have their site of action in the CNS
a. Inhibit motor neurons within the brain/spinal
cord
b. Exact mechanism unknown - Some act directly on skeletal muscles (direct
acting) at the neuromuscular junction
a. Interferes with the release of calcium ions in
skeletal muscle
b. Blocks release of acetylcholine from nerve
terminals
Direct and Indirect Muscle Relaxants
- Cause relaxation of skeletal muscles
- Mild weakness of skeletal muscles
- Decreased force of muscle contraction and muscle stiffness
Muscle Relaxants Indications?
- Acute skeletal muscle spasms
- Reduce rigidity
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Reduce spasticity associated with chronic disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Huntington’s chore
Muscle Relaxants Contraindications?
Allergy and severe renal (kidney) impairment
-If renal impairment, the drug may not be cleared out of the body as quickly
Muscle Relaxants Side Effects?
- Euphoria, lightheaded, dizzy, drowsy, fatigue, muscle weakness (decrease in motor neurons)
- Usually short-live; patient’s become tolerant
Muscle Relaxants interactions?
Caution with other CNS depressant drugs such as alcohol/benzos
*If on opioids, plan bed rest if used together
Examples of Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants
- Flexeril (cyclobezaprine)
- Robaxin (methocarbamol)
- Norflex (orphenadrine) can be given IM
Examples of Direct Acting Muscle Relaxants
- Dantrium (dantrolene sodium) *chronic illness
- Botox (botulinum toxin Type A) *relaxes wrinkles
Bone and Joint Disorders
- Calcium is important for bone building; nerve transmission, blood coagulation, and muscle contraction
- Bone formation requires calcium; generally controlled by thyroid and parathyroid glands (calcitonin)
- Vitamin D: facilitates the absorption of Calcium
Calcium Related Disorders
- Hypocalcemia
- Osteomalacia
- OSTEOPOROSIS
- Paget’s Disease
When buying calcium supplements…
You should only buy calcium with vitamin D because you need the vitamin D to absorb the calcium
Osteoporosis Prevention
Supplements of calcium and vitamin D are indicated for all women at risk
At risk for Osteoporosis
- Caucasian or Asian decent
- Slender body build
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Estrogen deficiency
- Low calcium in diet
- History of osteoporosis
Biphosphonates
- Most commonly used drug for osteoporosis
- Drugs of choice
- Only drugs proven to reverse bone loss
- 1st line drug
Biphosphonates Indications
- Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
- Paget’s disease
Biphosphonates Action
- Inhibits osteoclast activity
- Reduces rate of bone turnover, bone resorption, resulting in net gain in bone mass (bone density)
Biphosphonates Side Effects
- Nausea
- Dyspepsia (regurgitation)
- Bone pain
- Back pain
- JAW PAIN
Biphosphonates Contraindications
- Patients with dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal ulcer or gastric ulcer due to being very irritating
Biphosphonates Dosing
Can be daily, weekly, monthly
Biphosphonates Nursing Implications
Oral Doses
-Take first thing in morning, about 30-60 minutes
before first food
-Take with 6-8 oz of water
-Patient must be sitting upright or in a standing position for at least 30-60 minutes; do not lie down for 30-60 minutes after taking
*Very irritating to the esophagus and upper GI; needs to get to the pyloric valve
Biphosphonates Examples
- Fosamax (alendronate sodium)
- Boniva (ibandronate)
- Actonel (risedronate sodium)
Caution with Biphosphonates
Esophageal erosion can happen with this drug
Hormonal Agents
- Calcitonin
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Either a replacement or an exaggeration; negative feedback loop
Calcitonin
Hormone secreted by thyroid gland
Calcitonin Action
Increases bone density and decreases risk of bone fracture
Not as effective as biphosphonates; used as second line