Miorelaxants (preparations): classification, names and reviews

In medicine, there are often enough situations where it is necessary to relax the muscle fibers. For these purposes, muscle relaxants are used. Preparations introduced into the body block neuromuscular impulses, and the striated muscles relax.

Drugs of this group are often used in surgery, to relieve convulsions, before correcting the dislocation of the joint and even with exacerbations of osteochondrosis.

Mechanism of action of drugs

With severe pain in muscles, spasm can occur, as a result, joint movements are limited, which can lead to complete immobility. Especially acute this issue is with osteochondrosis. Constant spasm interferes with the proper functioning of the muscle fibers, and, accordingly, the treatment stretches for an indefinite period.

To bring the general well-being of the patient into a normal state, muscle relaxants are prescribed. Preparations for osteochondrosis are quite capable of relaxing muscles and reducing the inflammatory process.

Given the properties of muscle relaxants, we can say that they find their application at any stage of treatment of osteochondrosis. The following procedures are more effective in their application:

• Massage. Relaxed muscles respond best to the effect.
• Manual therapy. It's not a secret for anyone that the effect of a doctor is more effective and safer, the more relaxed muscles are.
• Extension of the spine.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.
• The effect of painkillers is increasing.

If you often have muscle spasms, or you suffer from osteochondrosis, then do not prescribe yourself muscle relaxants, the drugs of this group should be prescribed only by a doctor. The fact is that they have a fairly extensive list of contraindications and side effects, so only a doctor can choose a medicine for you.

Classification of muscle relaxants

The division of drugs of this group into different categories can be viewed from different points of view. If we talk about what are muscle relaxants, the classification is different. Analyzing the mechanism of influence on the human body, we can distinguish only two types:

1. Preparations of peripheral action.
2. Central muscle relaxants.

Medicines can have different in duration effects, depending on which they are allocated:

• Ultra-short action.
• Short.
• Medium.
• Prolonged.

Only a doctor can know exactly which drug will suit you best in each case, so do not self-medicate.

Peripheral muscle relaxants

Capable of blocking nerve impulses that pass to the muscle fibers. Are widely used: during anesthesia, with convulsions, with paralysis during tetanus.

Miorelaxants, preparations of peripheral action, can be divided into the following groups:

• Nondepolarizing. Here you can include: "Arduan", "Melliktin", "Diplazin" and others.
• Depolarizing - Ditilin.
• Mixed muscle relaxants. The names are different, for example "Dickson".

All these drugs affect cholinergic receptors in skeletal muscles, and therefore are effective for muscle spasms and pain. They act quite gently, which allows them to be used for various surgical interventions.

Central Action Medications

The muscle relaxants of this group can be further subdivided into the following species, given their chemical composition:

1. Derivatives of glycerol. These are "Meprothan", "Prendero", "Isoprotan".
2. Based on benzimidazole - "Flexin".
3. Mixed drugs, such as "Midokalm", "Baclofen."

Central muscle relaxants are capable of blocking reflexes that have many synapses in the muscle tissue. They do this by reducing the activity of intercalary neurons in the spinal cord. These drugs not only relax, but have a wider impact, which is associated with their use in the treatment of various diseases that are accompanied by increased muscle tone.

These muscle relaxants have almost no effect on monosynaptic reflexes, so they can be used to relieve muscle spasm and do not turn off natural breathing.

If you are prescribed muscle relaxants (drugs), the names you can find are:

• "Metacarbamol".
• Baclofen.
• "Tolperizon".
• "Tizanidine" and others.

It is better to start taking medications under the supervision of a doctor.

The principle of using muscle relaxants

If we talk about the use of these drugs in anesthesiology, we can note the following principles:

1. Use muscle relaxants only when the patient is unconscious.
2. The use of such drugs greatly facilitates the artificial ventilation of the lungs.
3. To remove muscle tone is not the most important thing, the main task is to carry out complex measures for gas exchange and blood circulation maintenance.
4. If muscle relaxants are used during anesthesia, then this does not exclude the use of anesthetics.

When medicine of this group became firmly established in medicine, it was possible to speak boldly about the beginning of a new era in anesthesiology. Their use allowed simultaneously to solve several tasks:

• Not only to immobilize the patient, but also to relax muscles well, which allows for any surgical intervention.
• There was an opportunity to conduct ventilation.
• The process of intubation of the trachea was greatly facilitated.
• It is possible to prevent muscular tremor when artificial hypothermia is performed.
• The action of muscle relaxants is also directed to the removal of muscle spasm in tetanus, convulsions, rabies and other diseases.

After introduction of such drugs into practice, anesthesiology was given the opportunity to become an independent branch.

Scope of muscle relaxants

Considering the fact that substances from this group of drugs have a wide impact on the body, they find wide application in medical practice. You can list the following areas:

1. In the treatment of neurological diseases, which are accompanied by increased tone.
2. If you use muscle relaxants (drugs), lower back pain will also recede.
3. Before surgical intervention in the abdominal cavity.
4. During complex diagnostic procedures for certain diseases.
5. In the process of electroconvulsive therapy.
6. When conducting anesthesia without disabling natural breathing.
7. For the prevention of complications after injuries.
8. Miorelaxants (drugs) for osteochondrosis are often prescribed to patients.
9. To facilitate the recovery process after surgery on the spine.
10. The presence of intervertebral hernia is also an indication for the intake of muscle relaxants.

Despite such an extensive list of the use of these drugs, you should not prescribe them yourself, without consulting your doctor.

Side effects after taking

If you are prescribed muscle relaxants (drugs), lower back pain should necessarily leave you alone, only when taking these medications can occur side effects. Some can and do not pay attention, but there are more serious ones, among them it is worth noting the following:

• Reducing the concentration of attention, which is most dangerous for people sitting behind the wheel of a car.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Increased nervous excitability.
• Bed-wetting.
• Allergic manifestations.
• Problems from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Convulsive conditions.

Especially often, all these manifestations can be diagnosed with an incorrect dosage of drugs. This is particularly true of antidepolarizing drugs. It is urgent to stop taking them and see a doctor. Usually, the intravenous solution of neostigmine is prescribed.

Depolarizing muscle relaxants in this respect are more harmless. If they are abolished, the patient's condition is normalized, and the use of medication to eliminate symptoms is not required.

You should take with caution those muscle relaxants (drugs), whose names you are unfamiliar. In this case it is better to consult a doctor.

Contraindications for use

Reception of any medicines should be started only after consultation with the doctor, and these medicines especially. They have a whole list of contraindications, among them:

1. You can not take them to people who have kidney problems.
2. Contraindicated in pregnant women and lactating mothers.
3. Psychological disorders.
4. Alcoholism.
5. Epilepsy.
6. Parkinson's disease.
7. Liver failure.
8. Children under 1 year old.
9. Peptic ulcer disease.
10. Myasthenia gravis.
11. Allergic reactions to the drug and its components.

As you can see, muscle relaxants (drugs) have many contraindications, so do not further damage your health and start taking them at your own risk.

Requirements for muscle relaxants

Modern drugs should not only be effective in removing muscle spasm, but also meet certain requirements:

• The muscle relaxant effect should be selective, that is, simultaneously relax the increased muscle tone and not suppress tonic impulses. The ability to move independently must be maintained after they are received.
• Safety of muscle relaxants. This quality is especially important when long-term use is required. Patients should not lose the ability to work and lead an active lifestyle.

One of these drugs, which practically meets all the requirements, is "Midokalm". Probably, that's why it has been used in medical practice for more than 40 years, not only in our country, but also in many others.

Among the central muscle relaxants, it differs significantly from the others for the better. This drug acts immediately on several levels: it removes the enhanced impulses, suppresses the formation of the action potential in the pain receptors, slows the conduction of hyperactive reflexes.

As a result of taking the drug, not only muscle tension decreases, but its vasodilating effect is also observed. This, perhaps, is the only medicine that relieves spasm of muscle fibers, but it does not cause muscle weakness, and also does not interact with alcohol.

Osteochondrosis and muscle relaxants

This disease is quite common in the modern world. Our way of life gradually leads to the fact that there are pains in the back, on which we try not to react. But there comes a time when pain can no longer be ignored.

We go to the doctor for help, but precious time is often lost. The question arises: "Is it possible to use muscle relaxants in diseases of the musculoskeletal system?"

Since one of the symptoms of osteochondrosis is muscle spasm, there is reason to talk about using drugs to relax the spasms. During therapy, the following drugs from the group of muscle relaxants are most often used.

1. "Midokalm". You can use any localization in the treatment of osteochondrosis. If there are violations in the cervical region, then this drug eliminates pain, restores and increases the volume of movements. Since "Midokalm" has a vasodilator effect, when it is taken, blood circulation improves, and so recovery is faster.
2. "Tizanidine" or "Sirdalud". Eliminates spasm of muscles. As with other muscle relaxants, the responses can be heard different, because with the admission it is possible to drop blood pressure, which in some patients may lead to even fainting. You can also diagnose drowsiness, apathy, dizziness, which can significantly reduce the quality of life.
3. Baclofen. Of all other drugs, it is used least often. This can be explained by a large number of side effects. If it is applied, then in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral department. In some patients after the withdrawal of this drug, even mental disorders were observed . With special care appoint "Baclofen" to elderly patients.

In therapy, it is usually not accepted to take several drugs at the same time. This is provided in order to be able to immediately identify side effects, if any, and prescribe another medicine.

Any muscle relaxant has its own recommendations for use. This applies not only to the duration and frequency of administration, but also to the dosage. All this should be discussed with you in detail by the doctor.

Virtually all drugs are produced not only in the form of tablets, but there are injections. Most often, with a strong spasm and severe pain syndrome for emergency care, the second form is prescribed, that is, in the form of injections. The active substance quickly penetrates into the blood and begins its therapeutic effect.

Tablets are usually not taken on an empty stomach, so as not to harm the mucosa. Wash down with water. Both injections and tablets are prescribed twice a day if there are no specific recommendations.

The use of muscle relaxants only then will bring the desired effect, if they are used in complex therapy, necessarily a combination with physiotherapy procedures, therapeutic gymnastics, massage.

Despite their high effectiveness, these medications should not be taken without prior consultation with the attending physician. You can not independently determine which medicine will work in your case and will have a greater effect.

Do not forget that there are a lot of contraindications and side effects, which also should not be discounted. Only competent treatment will allow you to forget about pain and spasms.