Muscle Spasms and Spasticity

• Baclofen is a centerally-acting muscle relaxant that is used to treat spasticity related to multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury
• Baclofen works by mimicking the actions of GABA at spinal neurons to suppress hyperactive reflexes
• Adverse effects of Baclofen: CNS depression (drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue), nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention; if abruptly discontinued, seizures, visual hallucinations, and paranoia can occur
• Dantrolene is a direct-acting muscle relaxant that is used to treat muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury
• Dantrolene works by suppressing the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (prevents muscles from contracting)
• Adverse effects of Dantrolene include significant muscle weakness, liver damage, drowsiness, diarrhea, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and sexual dysfunction
• Diazepam is a benzodiazepine used for spasticity; it is a centrally-acting (enhances actions of GABA)
• Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant for muscle spasms and pain from muscle injury
• Cyclobenzaprine works by inhibiting tonic motor activity in the brainstem
• Adverse effects of cyclobenzaprine are drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation