Skeletal muscle relaxants Sherpath Pharm

Muscle spasms

decrease pain associated with muscle spasms and increase range of motion. Many of these medications are known to have a sedative effect and should not be taken in addition to CNS depressants such as alcohol, prescription narcotics, or barbiturates.

Spasticity

is a form of muscular hyperactivity that causes painful contractions of the muscles, resulting in limited mobility.

Muscle Relaxants

medications used to relieve muscular spasms and the pain associated with these spasms.

Cyclobenzaprine is not effective against?

muscle spasms caused by central nervous system disorders.

Adverse effect of cyclobenzaprine

result from their effects on the CNS and skeletal muscles. Feelings of euphoria, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, and muscle weakness may be experienced early in treatment. Most will subside as patients grow tolerant. Less common effects diarrhea, GI upset, headache, slurred speech, muscle stiffness, constipation, sexual difficulties in males, hypotension, tachycardia, and weight gain. Serious adverse reactions include allergic reaction, angioedema, myocardial infarction, seizures, and ileus.

How are muscle relaxants know to work?

they depress neuronal action in the spinal cord or brain and may even augment neuronal inhibition in the skeletal muscles.

Examples of Spasticity drugs

Baclofen, dantrolene, and tizanidine. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, has also been successfully used to treat muscle spasticity.

Diet patient teaching for cyclobenzaprine

Advise the patient to take muscle relaxants with food to avoid GI upset.

Examples of Muscle spasms drugs

Carisoprodol, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, methocarbamol, and orphenadrine citrate are all examples of centrally acting muscle relaxants.

What does the nurse need to do before administrating Cyclobenzaprine?

Collect a thorough med history. Obtain baseline vital signs. Obtain the patient's current or most recent drug history to avowing drug interactions.

What is the most common drug used in skeletal muscle relaxant drug class

Cyclobenzaprine

Dosage and administration of cyclobenzaprine?

Cyclobenzaprine is available in a 5-mg and 10-mg doses and in an extended-release formulation. Adults and adolescents 15 years and older 5 mg PO tid Dosage may be increased to 10 mg PO tid if needed Adults PO extended release: 15-30 mg daily

Contraindications of Cyclobenzaprine

Display signs of sedation. Med history to determine the presence of any contraindications to cyclobenzaprine. Cyclobenzaprine use is contraindicated in patients with certain cardiovascular disorders hyperthyroidism, and hepatic impairment and in patients taking MAOIs. Cyclobenzaprine and orphenadrine use are contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or myasthenia gravis. Cyclobenzaprine use is contraindicated in children and in individuals with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or paralytic ileus. Caution should be used in individuals with seizure disorders, glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, or hepatic disease and with patients who breastfeed, drive or operate machinery, concurrently ingest alcohol or other CNS depressants, are older adults, or have regular sunlight or UV light exposure.

Interactions of cyclobenzaprine

Drugs: Alcohol, barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, sedative-hypnotics, and other CNS depressants will increase sedation. MAOIs may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis and seizures. Tramadol may increase the risk of seizures. Herbs: Kava, valerian, gotu kola, SAMe, and St. John's wort may interact with cyclobenzaprine. Food: No known interactions exist.

Side effect patient teaching for cyclobenzaprine

Encourage the patient to report side effects of the muscle relaxant, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, headache, and diplopia.

Evaluation for Cyclobenzaprine

Evaluate the effectiveness of the medication by using a pain scale to determine whether the patient's muscular pain and/or spasms have diminished. Be alert to both verbal and non-verbal indications of pain and/or pain relief. Evaluate the patient for decreased stiffness and swelling, increased joint mobility, reduced joint tenderness, and improved grip strength.

Which lab values would need to be mentioned based on the metabolism of cyclobenzaprine? a. Liver function tests b. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine c. Serum amylase and lipase d. Arterial blood gases

Liver function test

The nurse will teach the patient that cyclobenzaprine can relieve which symptoms? select all that apply. Muscle stiffness Muscle paralysis Localized muscle spasms Pain with range of motion Spasticity caused by myasthenia gravis

Muscle stiffness Localized muscle spasms Pain with range of motion

Pharmacokinetics of cyclobenzaprine?

Onset of action: 1 hour Peak plasma concentration: 3-8 hours Duration of action: 12-24 hours Absorption: PO, well absorbed Distribution: 93% protein bound Metabolism: In liver, half-life of 8-37 hours Excretion: In urine

Interventions for Cyclobenzaprine

Record the patient's vital signs prior to administration and report any abnormal results. Observe the patient for any CNS side effects or CNS depression (e.g., dizziness, hypotension, or decreased respirations). Assist the patient with ambulation if necessary to prevent falls. Administer the medication with food or milk if GI upset occurs.

General Patient teaching for Cyclobenzaprine

Teach the patient that the muscle relaxant should not be abruptly stopped and that it should be tapered over 1 week to avoid rebound muscle spasms. Advise the patient not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important legally-binding decisions when taking muscle relaxants. These medications have sedative effects and may cause drowsiness. Inform the patient that most centrally acting muscle relaxants for acute spasms are usually taken for no longer than a few weeks. Teach the patient to avoid combining muscle relaxants with alcohol and CNS depressants. If muscle relaxants are taken concomitantly, CNS effects may be intensified. Advise the patient that these drugs must be used cautiously in pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Effects of muscle spasms drugs

Vertigo and drowsiness are common side effects of these medications. with the exception of cyclobenzaprine, may also lead to drug dependence.

Patients should change positions purposefully and slowly when taking muscle relaxants to prevent which condition? a. Muscle spasms b. Syncope or dizziness c. Increased muscle pain d. Skin breakdown

b. Syncope or dizziness

Pharmacodynamics of cyclobenzaprine?

unknown, but is believed to block nerve impulses at the brainstem level.