Understanding Antispasmodic Medications: Uses and Side Effects

Antispasmodic medications help reduce muscle spasms and promote muscle relaxation, often used to relieve cramps and muscle tightness.
Related products/activities
Application
Muscle Spasms | Muscle Relaxants | Pharmacology | Muscle Spasm Relief
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Antispasmodic FAQ


Image credit: trust-fastvn.com

What is an antispasmodic drug?

An antispasmodic (synonym: spasmolytic) is a pharmaceutical drug or other agent that suppresses muscle spasms. One type of antispasmodics is used for smooth muscle relaxation, especially in tubular organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The effect is to prevent spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder .

How do antispastics and antispasmodics work?

Antispastics directly affect the spinal cord or the skeletal muscles with the aim of improving muscle tightness and spasms. Antispasmodics help reduce muscle spasms via the central nervous system. They inhibit the transmission of neurons in the brain. Antispastics and antispasmodics have different indications and side effects.

What are the different types of antispasmodics?

Antispasmodics are a group (class) of medicines that can help to control some symptoms that arise from the gut (intestines) - in particular, gut spasm. There are two main types, as follows. Antimuscarinics such as: Dicycloverine. Hyoscine. Atropine. Propantheline. Smooth muscle relaxants such as: Alverine. Mebeverine. Peppermint oil.

What is the difference between antispastics and antispasmodics?

Although antispastics and antispasmodics are both types of skeletal muscle relaxants, they have specific and different uses. In addition, some of these medications treat conditions not related to muscle function. For example, providers sometimes prescribe diazepam to treat anxiety and seizures.

Are antispasmodics effective for irritable bowel syndrome?

Antispasmodics are medications used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. These drugs stop painful spasms by targeting smooth muscles in the digestive tract and are particularly effective in people living with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) .

Which antispasmodics are used in acute musculoskeletal conditions?

Anisotropine, atropine, clidinium bromide are also the most commonly used modern antispasmodics. [citation needed] Pharmacotherapy may be used for acute musculoskeletal conditions when physical therapy is unavailable or has not been fully successful.

Antispasmodic References

If you want to know more about Antispasmodic, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics