Skeletal Muscle Relaxant include-

Carisprodal, Chlorphenesin Maleate, Chlorzoxazone, Chlormezanone, Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbinol, Metaxalone, Dantrolenes Sodium, Orphenadrine.

Refer Orphenadrine

Interacting drugs- summary

 + Non deploraizing muscle relaxants

Corticosteroids  potentiate counteract, or have no effect on the neuromuscular blocking action

Potentiates alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant include-

Carisprodal, Chlorphenesin Maleate, Chlorzoxazone, Chlormezanone,
Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbinol, Metaxalone, Dantrolenes Sodium, Orphenadrine.
Refer- Orphenadrine

Painful musculoskeletal conditions

NEWS UPDATE-

CARISOPRODOL - DISCARDED DUE TO SIDE EFFECTS

The European Medicines Agency ( EMEA ) has advocated that a total ban on the use of
carisoprodol containing products . Somaflam following a review which concluded that the
risk of the drug are  unacceptable. It has potential for abuse, addiction as well as intoxification and psychomotor impairment. The drug regulatory authority in Norway has already ordered the withdrawal of the drug due to new information on adverse effects.

In India, carisoprodal is not only sold as a single ingredient formulation but has also
been irrationally combined with paracetamol and ibuorofen. It is being marketed under
different names. It is being promoted for pain of muscle spasms, back pain etc.
Patients taking carioprodol should be adviced to gradually taper off to avoid withdrawal
symptoms. ( MIMS).  

Idiosyncratic reaction(rare).

Dizziness, distress, rash. tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension,

Hypersensitivity reactions.

Should be used with caution in addiction prone individuals.

Acute intermittent prophyria.

Hypersensitivity,lactation.

Special precautions:

Drowsiness may occur,renal and hepatic failure,children below 12 years.

Indications:

Painful musculoskeletal conditions

Dosage:

Adults- 350mg 3 to 4 times a day. Take the last dose at bed time.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant include-

Carisprodal, Chlorphenesin Maleate, Chlorzoxazone, Chlormezanone, Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbinol, Metaxalone, Dantrolenes Sodium, Orphenadrine.

Refer Orphenadrine

1.May take with food or meals if GI upset occurs.

2.May cause drowsiness or dizziness.

3. Patients should observe caution while driving or performing tasks requiring alertness, coordination or physical dexterity.

4. Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.

5. If dizziness (postural hypotension) occurs, avoid sudden changes in posture; use caution while climbing stairs.

6. Allergy- Tell your doctor if ever had any unusual reaction to skeletal muscle relaxants or tro carbamol , mebutamate, meprobamate or to tybamate. Also tell your health care professional if you are alrgic to any other substances such as foods, preservatives

7. Pregnancy- Skeletal muscle relaxants have not shown to cause birth defects or other problems. Studies not done in pregnant women.

8. Breast feeding- Carisprodol passes into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or upset in nursing babies. Not known whether chlorcarbamol passes into breast milk. Not reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

9. Children- Studies done only in adults no specific information comparing use of these medicines in children with use in other age groups. Noreported to cause different side efects or problems in children than they do in adults.

10. Older adults- Not tested in older people, no specific information about use of skeletal muscle relaxants in elderly.

11. Other medicines- Tell your doctor if you taking any other  medicines- Alcohol or Tricyclic anti depressants - chance of side effects may be increased

12. Other medical problems- Tell your doctor if you are having any other  medical problems- Allergies or Blood disease caused by an allergy or reactions to any other medicine or Drug abuse or dependence or history of Kidney disease or Liver disease or Porphyria - depending on which of the skeletal muscle you take ,chance of side effects may be increased your doctor can choose a muscle relaxant that is less likely to cause problems

Epilepsy- convulsions may be more likely to occur if methocarbamol is given by injection.

13. Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. however, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses.

14. Storage - Keep out of reach of children. Store away from heat or direct sunlight. Do not store the capsule in bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places.

15. Outdated medicines - Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of reach of children.

Pharmacology:

Carisoprodol is a congener of meprobamate. The mode of action is not clearly identified, but may be related to sedative properties.

Pharmacokinetics:

The onset of action is rapid(30 minutes) and the duration is 4 to 6 hours. It is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine.

Reports not available

Pregnancy-

Safety for use in pregnancy has not been established. Use during pregnancy or in women of child bearing potential only when clearly needed.

Lactation:

Carisoprodol is excreted in breast milk at concentrations 2 to 4 times that of maternal plasma. Consider this factor when use of this drug is contemplated in lactating patients.

Children:

Not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age.