- Question: There are several classes of drugs and about 15 drugs between these classes of drugs that can be used to control muscle spasticity (and neuropathies). What are these classes of drugs, and what are the names of the drugs in each category?
Answer: I am not familiar with the classes. Typically one can use benzodiazepines like valium for spasticity. With newer drugs like Baclofen (a gaba agonist) and Xanoflex, we don't use valium. A drug called Dantrolene can also be used but has the side effect of muscle weakness because it works on the muscle itself. The others are centrally acting in the nervous system. I prefer baclofen, also called liorasol. For local muscle spasm-a injection of botulism toxin can be effective for months.
Group FeedBack:
Lisa G March 2006
I have been trying different muscle relaxers. My doctor prescribed me Skelaxin, which made me very drowsy, and impaired my ability to figure out that it was the Skelaxin making me drowsy... The next one he's Rx'd is Baclofen.
Needless to say, I'd like to be awake for a while before trying another. Has anyone tried Baclofen, and if so, is it sedating? I know everyone is different. Can anyone explain how a "gaba agonist" acts on the brain/body? Is Xanoflex similar?
Randy M March 2006
More than you ever wanted to know - Here�s information I got from
Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): An amino acid neurotransmitter that inhibits or decreases the electrical activities of nerve cells. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Baclofen (Lioresal�) is a drug that is used to treat individuals with spasticity. In addition, this drug has been administered to some patients with dystonia. Baclofen's primary site of action is the spinal cord where it reduces the release of neurotransmitters that stimulate muscle activity (GABA agonist stimulating GABAB autoreceptor). Baclofen has been used to treat both primary and secondary dystonias. This drug may be administered orally or via a surgically implanted pump that delivers the drug directly to the spinal cord (intrathecal baclofen).
As best I can tell, Xanoflex = Zanaflex = Tizanidine �.
From USA Discount Online Pharmacy: Xanaflex
From Medline:
"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601121.html"
From the Internet Drug Index: Tizanidine
I hope this helps.
Randy M March 2006
I�ve been taking Baclofen for over 6 years.
I had surgery & radiation in 1999 for a spinal tumor at T4. My main deficits are loss of motor control in my right leg and loss of sensory in both legs, along with some spasticity in my right leg. My neurologist told me to try Baclofen and adjust the dosage according to whatever worked best for me. I tried 10, 20, and 30 mg per day and settled on 20mg/day. I have never noticed any drowsiness, but you may react differently.
It is also unusual for drugs for our ailments, but Baclofen is cheap. I pay $20.75 for 60 tablets (10mg each). I�m told that Baclofen moves through your system quickly so it is best to take it two or three times per day. I take 10/mg in the morning and again at bedtime.
These links provide more information:
"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202080.html"
"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682530.html"