dantrolene in the treatment of spasticity
Last reviewed 01/2018
- dantrolene sodium - inhibits the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic
reticulum and thus causing a dissociation of excitation-contraction coupling.
The main side effect is hepatotoxicity
- evidence from double-blind comparative studies suggest that the efficacy of dantrolene is comparable to that of baclofen and diazepam (1,2)
Reference:
- (1) Ward A, Chaffman MO, Sorkin EM (1986). Dantrolene. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use in malignant hyperthermia, the neuroleptic malignant syndrome and an update of its use in muscle spasticity. Drugs, 32, 130-68.
- (2) Schmidt RT, Lee RH, Spehlmann R (1976). Comparison of dantrolene sodium and diazepam in the treatment of spasticity. J Neurosurg Psychiatry, 39, 350-6.