Volume : 12, Issue : 10, October – 2025
Title:
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON MUSCLE RELAXANTS: CLASSIFICATION, MECHANISMS, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS, AND SAFETY
Authors :
P.Seeta*, J.N.Suresh Kumar, SK.Riyaz, Ch.Sivasai , G.Mounika, K.Sunil Kumar and SK.Thaslima
Abstract :
Abstract:
Muscle relaxants are a heterogeneous group of pharmacological agents used to relieve muscle spasms, reduce spasticity, and induce skeletal muscle paralysis during surgical and critical care procedures. They are broadly classified into centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants, direct-acting agents, and neuromuscular blocking agents. These drugs act through diverse mechanisms, ranging from modulation of GABAergic or adrenergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system to direct inhibition of calcium release in skeletal muscle fibers or blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Clinical applications span the management of acute musculoskeletal disorders, chronic spasticity in neurological conditions, treatment of malignant hyperthermia, and facilitation of anesthesia and intubation. Preclinical studies have provided valuable insights into their efficacy, specificity, and safety, while clinical trials have defined their therapeutic role. Despite their benefits, adverse effects such as sedation, hepatotoxicity, dependency, and life-threatening reactions like malignant hyperthermia necessitate cautious prescribing and monitoring. Non-pharmacological strategies such as physiotherapy and exercise serve as complementary approaches. This review summarizes the pharmacology, therapeutic applications, preclinical and clinical evidence, and safety considerations of muscle relaxants, with references from standard pharmacology texts and open-access journals.
Keywords: Muscle relaxants; Spasmolytics; Neuromuscular blocking agents; Baclofen; Dantrolene; Tizanidine; Preclinical trials.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press P.Seeta et al., A Comprehensive Review On Muscle Relaxants: Classification, Mechanisms, Therapeutic Applications, And Safety, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(10).
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