TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 33. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants A1 - Panus, Peter C. A1 - Jobst, Erin E. A1 - Masters, Susan B. A1 - Katzung, Bertram A1 - Tinsley, Suzanne L. A1 - Trevor, Anthony J. Y1 - 2009 N1 - T2 - Pharmacology for the Physical Therapist AB - Drugs that affect skeletal muscles fall into two major therapeutic groups: those used during surgical procedures and in intensive care units to cause paralysis (i.e., neuromuscular blockers), and those used to reduce spasticity in a variety of neurologic conditions or to reduce muscle spasm following muscle injury or inflammation (i.e., spasmolytics) (Figure 33–1). Neuromuscular blocking drugs interfere with transmission at the neuromuscular end plate and lack central nervous system activity. These compounds are used primarily as adjuncts to general anesthesia. Drugs in the spasmolytic group have traditionally been called “centrally acting” muscle relaxants because most of them act at multiple sites in the central nervous system (CNS) rather than at the neuromuscular end plate. However, two spasmolytic drugs—dantrolene and botulinum toxin—act in or near skeletal muscle with no significant central effects. Spasmolytic drugs (with one exception) do not prevent muscle contraction but rather decrease neuronal excitability. For basic and clinical pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking drugs, see Chapter 5. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/19 UR - accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6095608 ER -