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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
1. Central Acting Muscle Relaxants
- Mechanism of Action: These agents act on the central nervous system, inhibiting nerve impulses and reducing muscle tone.
- Examples: Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbamol.
- Therapeutic Uses: Muscle spasms, spasticity, fibromyalgia.
- Adverse Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, fatigue, dry mouth, muscle weakness.
- Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, caution in elderly and patients with peptic ulcers (especially Baclofen).
2. Peripherally Acting Muscle Relaxants
- Mechanism of Action: Neuromuscular blockers inhibit muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction. Dantrolene reduces muscle contraction by inhibiting calcium release.
- Examples: Succinylcholine, Rocuronium, Vecuronium, Dantrolene.
- Therapeutic Uses: General anesthesia, treatment of malignant hyperthermia, management of spasticity.
- Adverse Effects: Hyperkalemia, respiratory depression, hepatotoxicity (Dantrolene), muscle pain (Succinylcholine).
- Contraindications: Succinylcholine is contraindicated in conditions like hyperkalemia; caution with liver/kidney dysfunction for non-depolarizing agents; Dantrolene is contraindicated in liver disease.
