T3-Analgesics: Muscle Relaxers-MJ Flashcards
What are the two topics here?
Muscle relaxants
Drugs for spasticity
What are muscle spasms?
Involuntary contractions
What do muscle spasms result from?
Musculoskeletal injuries
Are muscle spasms painful?
Yes
What type of patients often have muscle spasms?
Femur fracture patients
Do muscle relaxers work on the muscle?
No, they work on brain and CNS
What neurotransmitter do muscle relaxers work on?
GABA
So if muscle relaxers work on GABA, what are some precautions patients need to be aware of?
- It can cause sedation
- Avoid ETOH
- Be cautious with driving
- There is abuse potential
What are 3 muscle relaxers?
Carisoprodol
Cyclobenzaprine
Diazepam
Cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxer) is very similar to what class of drugs?
TCA
So if clyclobenzaprine is similar to TCAs, what effects can be seen when someone is taking clyclobenzaprine?
Sedation Anticholinergic effects (can't see, can't pee, can't shit, can't spit)
If clyclobenzaprine is combined with another serotinic drug, is that okay?
NO! It can cause serotonin syndrome
What is spasticity?
Heightened muscle tone
What is spasticity caused by?
MS (musculosclerosis)
CP (cerebral palsy)
Stroke
What are the ONLY 3 drugs for muscle spasticity?
Baclofen
Diazepam
Dantrolene
Dantrolene: the only drug that is not centrally acting. So what does that mean?
It will work DIRECTLY on the muscle
Dantrolene may help with the spasm, but what does it decrease?
Muscle strength
What should flash in our head when we hear we have to give dantrolene to our patient?
LIVER TOXICITY
Who is most at risk for liver toxicity if we have to give them dantrolene?
WOMEN who are >35 have a high risk for liver toxicity
Dantrolene is also a treatment for ______.
Malignant hyperthermia
Is malignant hyperthermia common or rare?
Rare
Is malignant hyperthermia life threatening?
Yes!
How is malignant hyperthermia triggered?
General anesthesia
If a patient has to get general anesthesia, what is done?
They may be screened; family history is the major risk factor for if this could happen to the patient
What does malignant hyperthermia cause?
Extreme rigidity and temperature
If a patient has malignant hyperthermia, what drug do we want to have handy? Why?
Dantrolene-because it is the treatment for malignant hyperthermia!
