Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store the extended-release capsule away from light. Show
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Local damage to skeletal muscles can happen due to injuries and accidents. If the damage is severe, normal muscular functioning and central nervous system may be permanently damaged. Spasticity is a condition characterized by sustained contractions of the muscle. It is due to the loss of nerves responsible for the maintenance of balance in corresponding muscle activities. Skeletal muscle relaxants are agents that can treat both temporary and permanent neuronal damage. They do this by interfering with the pain and spasm cycle. Muscle Relaxants: Generic and Brand NamesHere is a table of commonly encountered muscle relaxants, their generic names, and brand names:
Disease Spotlight: Neuromuscular AbnormalitiesMuscle Spasm
Spasticity
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants
Therapeutic ActionThe desired and beneficial actions of centrally acting muscle relaxants are as follows:
IndicationsCentrally acting muscle relaxants are indicated for the following medical conditions:
Here are some important aspects to remember for indication of centrally acting muscle relaxants in different age groups: Children
Adults
Older adults
PharmacokineticsHere are the characteristic interactions of centrally acting muscle relaxants and the body in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion:
Contraindications and CautionsThe following are contraindications and cautions for the use of centrally acting muscle relaxants:
Adverse EffectsUse of centrally acting muscle relaxants may result to these adverse effects:
InteractionsThe following are drug-drug interactions involved in the use of centrally acting muscle relaxants:
Here are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing AssessmentThese are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
Nursing DiagnosesHere are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of this drug for therapy: Implementation with RationaleThese are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking centrally acting muscle relaxants:
EvaluationHere are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
Direct-Acting Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Therapeutic ActionThe desired and beneficial actions of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants are as follows:
IndicationsHere are some important aspects to remember for indication of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants in different age groups: Children
Adult
Older adults
PharmacokineticsHere are the characteristic interactions of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants and the body in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion:
Contraindications and CautionsThe following are contraindications and cautions for the use of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants:
Adverse EffectsUse of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants may result to these adverse effects:
InteractionsThe following are drug-drug interactions involved in the use of direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants: Here are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing AssessmentThese are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
Nursing DiagnosesHere are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of this drug for therapy:
Implementation with RationaleThese are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants:
EvaluationHere are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
Practice Quiz: Muscle RelaxantsQuiz time! Let’s see what you’ve learned from this pharmacology guide for muscle relaxants. Take this 5-item quiz! 1. All of the following are direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants, except: A. botulinum toxin type AB. MyoblocC. Dantrium D. None of the above 2. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for children receiving muscle relaxants? A. Assess bowel sounds and activity.B. Provide skincare.C. Administer drug with food. D. Both A and B. 3. What is the centrally acting muscle relaxant of choice for children with tetanus? A. botulinum toxin type BB. DantriumC. Baclofen D. Methocarbamol 4. How long should Baclofen be tapered to prevent the development of psychoses and hallucinations? A. 12-21 daysB. 1-10 daysC. 7-14 days D. 7-21 days 5. A patient who had a dose of botulinum toxin type A complained of headache and dizziness. What is the most appropriate nursing response? A. Provide comfort measures.B. Institute safety measures.C. Assess for possible anaphylactic reactions D. Both A and B 1. Answer: D. None of the above. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic), botulinum toxin type B (Myobloc), and dantrolene (Dantrium) are all direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants. 2. Answer: A. Assess bowel sounds and activity. Children are especially at an increased risk of CNS and GI toxicity. 3. Answer: D. Methocarbamol. Both botulinum toxin type B and Dantrium are direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxants. Baclofen is indicated for relief of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. 4. Answer: C. 7-14 days 5. Answer: C. Assess for possible anaphylactic reactions. Botulinum toxins are associated with anaphylactic reactions characterized by headache, dizziness, muscle pain, paralysis Recommended ResourcesRecommended resources and reference books. Disclosure: Includes Amazon affiliate links. See AlsoHere are other nursing pharmacology study guides:
Gastrointestinal System Drugs
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Nervous System Drugs Cardiovascular System Drugs References and SourcesReferences and sources for this pharmacology guide for Muscle Relaxants:
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