 |
Muscle Relaxant...a Friend? or a Foe?
Author: Pierre Gabriel  | Posted: 31-05-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 17 | Rating: (52)  (?) 
A few years back, muscle relaxants have taken center stage after several reports of deaths due to abuse of the drug, prompting concerned agencies to take cognizant of the issue.
A hospital staff was charged for murdering six elderly hospital patients by giving those overdoses of two muscle relaxants in 1996 and 1997. The suspect used muscle relaxants Pavulon and succinylcholine chloride, commonly known as SUCC -- to shut down the respiratory systems of the patients, essentially suffocating them.
In another incident, Raplon, another popular muscle relaxant was voluntarily withdrawn by its manufacturer from the market after five reported deaths related to its use. Doctors often use Raplon when inserting a breathing tube in patients, and it is a good choice because of the drug's effectiveness wore off quickly. Despite its benefits, Raplon was pulled from the market because it tends to cause airway spasms that interfere with normal breathing.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were already aware of this side effect, especially since most muscle relaxants can cause similar problems. Called bronchospasms, the breathing problem can range from mild to severe and is noted to occur in 3.2 percent of all patients who use Raplon.
Raplon is the twelfth drug removed from the market since 1997. This is causing a bit of a stir, with many people questioning the FDA's rapid approval of drugs. The FDA has been under pressure from Congress to speed up the approval times of new drugs.
But law makers and consumers would not want quality and safety to be sacrificed for a fast approval time. Though the demands of new drugs are indeed high, the FDA should always keep a keen eye on the effects and effectiveness of these drugs. Once the drug is approved and sold in the market, recall would take more effort especially when some lives have already been wasted.
Muscle Relaxants
Skeletal muscle relaxants are a heterogeneous group of medications commonly used to treat two different types of underlying conditions namely spasticity from upper motor neuron syndromes and muscular pain or spasms from peripheral musculoskeletal conditions.
Although they have by convention been classified into one group, the FDA has approved only a few medications in this class for treatment of
spasticity; the remainder are approved for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES III) survey (1988-1994) estimated that 1% of American adults are taking muscle relaxants, often on a chronic basis.
Spasticity, although difficult to define precisely, is a clinical condition that has been described as a motor disorder characterized by velocity dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes or muscle tone. This also goes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyper-excitability of the stretch reflex, as one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome.
Some of the more common conditions associated with spasticity and requiring treatment include multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and post-stroke syndrome.
Common musculoskeletal conditions causing tenderness and muscle spasms include fibromyalgia, tension headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, and mechanical low back or neck pain. If muscle spasm is present in these conditions, it is related to local factors involving
the affected muscle groups.
This type of drug is said to relax certain muscles in the body and relieve the stiffness, pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains or other injury to your muscles. However, these medicines do not take the place of rest, exercise or physical therapy, or other treatment that your doctor may recommend for your medical problem.
The Aftermath
Since the relaxants act in the central nervous system, their actions may produce some side effects. In the U.S., dispensing of muscle relaxants without doctor's prescription is strictly prohibited but in other countries, some muscle relaxants can be sold without prescription.
With the many reported abuse and deaths using muscle relaxants, patients have become cautious. Likewise concerned government agencies continue to monitor the dispensing of these drugs to avoid further loss on human lives.
Controversies surrounding muscle relaxants have resulted in some resistance to their use in patient care. Studies have been published which suggest a potential role for muscle relaxants in clinical practice; however, there is a lack of good quality research on the clinical application of these drugs.
It cannot be denied that muscle relaxants are effective in the management of a number of ailments but the adverse effects require that they be used with caution.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/muscle-relaxanta-friend-or-a-foe-156323.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Pain Relievers...what Good Do They Have to a Stressful Society
By: Pierre Gabriel | 30/05/2007 | Medicine
Researches divulged that stress at work has been linked with heart disease. It has been associated with loss of appetite, ulcers, mental disorder and migraines. Likewise stress has been said to cause difficulty in sleeping, emotional instability, disruption of social and family life. It was pointed to cause increased use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Stress, they say, can also affect worker attitudes and behavior. Some frequently reported consequences of stress among hospital workers are dif
Increase in the Risk of Birth Defects
By: Jennifer Alinio | 20/03/2007 | Medicine
Paroxetine should usually not be taken during pregnancy, but for some women who have already been taking paroxetine, the benefits of continuing paroxetine may be greater than the potential risk to the baby. Women taking paroxetine who are pregnant, think they may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant should talk to their physicians about the potential risks of taking paroxetine during pregnancy.
Fda Approves Wellbutrin Xl(r) (bupropion Hcl Extended-release Tablets) for the Prevention of Seasonal Major Depressive Episodes
By: Jennifer Alinio | 20/03/2007 | Medicine
A combined analysis of three clinical trials showed that Wellbutrin XL reduces the chance of developing a seasonal major depressive episode by 44 percent.
Have a Good Night Sleep - Take Rozerem
By: Jennifer Alinio | 21/03/2007 | Medicine
Rozerem is a drug that has recently been approved to treat people who suffer from insomnia.
Things to Consider Before Buying Ambien
By: Jennifer Alinio | 21/03/2007 | Medicine
Ambien has been proven to be one of the most effective drugs on the market as a sleep aid.
Medications Such as Effexor and Has Been Shown to Ease the Number and Intensity of Hot Flashes
By: Jennifer Alinio | 23/03/2007 | Medicine
Medications such as Paxil, Prozac, Effexor and Celexa, in small doses, all have been shown to ease the number and intensity of hot flashes. For women who cannot take estrogen, these medications work well, but can have side effects such as nausea, insomnia, dizziness and sexual dysfunction.
Cause of Daniel's Death Was Determined to be a Lethal Combination of Methadone, Zoloft and Lexapro
By: Jennifer Alinio | 27/03/2007 | Medicine
The cause of Anna Nicole Smith's Son Daniel's Death was later determined to be a lethal combination of methadone, Zoloft and Lexapro.
Antidepressants (fluoxetine) Can Play a Role in Stroke Recovery
By: Jennifer Alinio | 28/03/2007 | Medicine
Antidepressants (fluoxetine or nortriptyline, or placebo) can play a role in stroke recovery. The placebo group showed continued worsening of their executive function - the ability to think and plan - while those in the antidepressant group showed considerable improvement.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Midlife crisis
By: Rosie | 24-08-2008
My husband is going through a midlife crisis. He left home four months ago and has been involved in an affair for six years. The other woman is still living with her husband and children. My sons think I should move on with my own lifeI still love him and would like to mend our relationship but dont know how to start.
How do you stop being jealous
By: ldh20abs | 22-08-2008
how do you stop being jealous
I work for the special treatment unit in NJ. A ...
By: Dorothy | 22-08-2008
I work for the special treatment unit in NJ. A resident has asked me to try to get info on transitions program for sex offenders who will be released. Any info would be helpful. Thanks so much. Dorothy J Sgalia
Ex-husband's Girlfriend Destroying me and my son's life
By: Tess | 22-08-2008
This is all well and good, but my ex's new girlfriend is my grad student -- well she is not my student anymore. My 15 year old is beside himself and this woman who is still a student in my department has consistently found ways to make my work enviroment miserable and to pressure my ex to hassle his son about accepting her -- my son refuses. We have joint custody and he goes to his dad one week and me the next. My son does not want to be with his dad because of the gf. The state I live in does not allow co-habitation with a non-parent while an underage child is in the house and my son has made it clear that he will leave if he brings her around. That said, my ex waits until my son is feeling ok, and I seem to be doing well and starts pressuring my son and trying to make him feel guilty...it is horrible and I often have a confrontation with my ex that sends me into downward spiral -- I get depressed and my daily life falls apart. I just don't know what to do anymore.
Who plays the woman he falls in love with?
By: sfgirl | 22-08-2008
Who plays the woman he falls in love with?
Sexless marriage
By: peggy | 22-08-2008
my husband is only 41 and we have only been married 3 years, at first sex was great after we married i am lucky if we do it once every 3 to 6 months...why? and what can i do?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Medicine Articles
Acne Scar Effects and Resulting Acne Scar Treatment
By: Jeremy Thompson | 05/09/2008
How do deal with acne scars which my appear after acne treatment.
What is Back Ache?
By: Annette Badowski | 05/09/2008
A backache is a generalized medical term used to describe any number of back-related conditions that causes pain in that region. In the UK alone, over 80% of people have complained of backache at some point in their lives. It is an affliction that knows no boundaries of age, sex,...
Preventing Infections From Site Injections
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/09/2008
Taking something that is outside your own body and piercing the protective layer that separates two areas, one resistant to infection from bacteria, the other not, is a prospect not many can fathom until they actually take the plunge - with the needle that is.
Who Killed Heath Ledger? The Real Truth Behind the Drugs
By: Ann Marosy | 05/09/2008
The City of New York's Report concluded that Heath Ledger's cause of death was the result of acute intoxication by the lethal combination of prescription drugs such as narcotic analgesics and sleeping aids. However, the medical community have ignored the real underlying prescription drug class that often leads to habitual drug dependency with dangerous lethal consequences.
The Aloe Vera Plant Healing Ability
By: Daniel Millions | 05/09/2008
Aloe vera is medicinal plant that has many health benefits for its users. Consumers may buy aloe vera in different forms. It is possible to buy aloe vera as a gel, extract, powder, juice and a plant to grow in the home. Consumers can use aloe vera externally and internally.
There...
High Potency Cure For Joint Pain
By: Melvin Michael | 05/09/2008
Want to be as supple as a baby or as flexible as rubber?
More and more people are suffering from the hurting warning signs of joint related diseases, which include stiffness, pain inflammation redness swelling and redness. Join pain in the knees, elbows, wrists, and hips can be contributed to a...
Herbal Can Help Detoxify Your Body
By: Bardnurz Sham | 04/09/2008
The simplest detoxification therapy is to modify your daily diet. Although changing your diet is easier said than done, there are people who want to improve their health at any length and do not mind undergoing strict dietary changes. But there are also many others who do not want to...
Sleep Apnea Machine Can Cure Sleep Apnea
By: Andy West | 04/09/2008
Sleep apnea is a painful and arduous sleeping disorder that affects many adults. Not only does the sleeping disorder affect the amount of rejuvenating sleep a person receives, but it also affects their daytime activities and attitude. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea may not be aware of their...
More from Pierre Gabriel
Online Pharmacy -the Cutting Edge Alternative
By: Pierre Gabriel | 03/07/2007 | Medicine
The spending on prescription drug had a steady climb in recent years. It has played a big part on the health care cost and health insurance premiums. This trend continues up to this day and even if people, who already have a health plan as part of their health insurance, could still feel the impact of the raising cost on which is being passed onto them indirectly, through higher insurance premiums and co-pays.
Medicine Ignorance Aggravate Pain..
By: Pierre Gabriel | 01/06/2007 | Medicine
In a recent study conducted on patients with arthritis ad primary care physicians, 78% percent admitted not knowing enough about the benefits and risks of medications.
Pain Relievers...what Good Do They Have to a Stressful Society
By: Pierre Gabriel | 30/05/2007 | Medicine
Researches divulged that stress at work has been linked with heart disease. It has been associated with loss of appetite, ulcers, mental disorder and migraines. Likewise stress has been said to cause difficulty in sleeping, emotional instability, disruption of social and family life. It was pointed to cause increased use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Stress, they say, can also affect worker attitudes and behavior. Some frequently reported consequences of stress among hospital workers are dif
Stress Triggers Back Pain
By: Pierre Gabriel | 04/05/2007 | Medicine
Medical experts advise patients to get back to their normal activities as soon as possible. Movement helps your muscles stay strong. Staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days, they said, can actually make the problem worse.
Walking is the simplest and perhaps the best exercise for the lower back.
Housewives’ Most Common Gripe…
By: Pierre Gabriel | 27/04/2007 | Medicine
Studies show that tension headaches are the most common type of headache. About 30% to 80% of adults occasionally experience this kind of headache. Tension headaches are more common among women than men.
|
|
Health 
