Spasmolytics (preparations): a list with names

Pain accompanies many diseases of internal organs. In most cases, it is associated with spastic muscle contraction. To endure such pain is very painful. To cope with it, special drugs have been created - antispasmodics. These drugs affect either the smooth muscle of the internal organs, or the process of transmission of nerve impulses in the brain. By relaxing the muscles, the pain passes, in many cases this happens quite quickly. Therefore, antispasmodics are so popular among doctors and patients. The list of these preparations is not very large, and many of them have been used for many years. Such drugs quickly relieve spasms and alleviate the suffering of the patient.

What is antispasmodics?

These drugs relieve pain caused by muscle spasm. They are also able to expand blood vessels and bronchi, stimulate cardiac activity. Spasmolytics and anesthetics are now widely used in medicine. In the middle of the 19th century, papaverine was isolated from the poppy heads. But only in the 20s of the 20th century was it discovered its ability to relieve spasms, and it became widely used. Studies in this area continued, and was created "Dibazol", which also had a vasodilator effect. And in the 60s, after the creation of "No-Shpy," antispasmodics became even more popular. These drugs are used for pain in the stomach, kidney colic, pancreatitis and cholecystitis, migraine and menstrual pain, cerebral circulation disorders and increased blood pressure. Some of them are able to relieve bronchospasm or heart pain, while others are used only for gastric diseases.

Classification of these drugs

1. Neurotrophic antispasmodics . Their action is based on the fact that they block the transmission of nerve impulses that send a signal to the smooth muscles of the internal organs. Some of them affect the brain and exert a complex influence on the internal organs, while others have a more selective effect on the receptors in the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system.
2. Myotropic antispasmodics . These drugs are more common, as they directly affect the smooth muscles of the internal organs. They affect the biochemical processes taking place in the cells, and are able to quickly relax the muscles.
3. Neuromyotropic antispasmodics. They have a stronger effect, because they combine the virtues of the other groups. They include "Baralgin", "Tempalgin", "Spazgan", "Maxigan" and others.

Neurotrophic antispasmodics

These drugs are divided into two groups, depending on the mode of exposure.

1. The most common neurotropic antispasmodics are "Atropine sulfate", "Platyphylline", "Scopolamine" and "Hyoscyamine". They affect the M-holinoretseptory, involved in the passage of nerve impulses through the brain. Therefore, in addition to the removal of spasms of smooth muscles, neurotrophic spasmolytics reduce the activity of endocrine glands and the release of hydrochloric acid, increase the heart rate and increase intraocular pressure.
2. The drug "Hyoscine butyl bromide" has a more selective effect. It does not penetrate the brain and does not affect other organs. Its effect extends only to receptors of smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. This medicine is more popular abroad, but in our country it is known under the names "Butylskopolamine", "Buskopan", "Slean" or "Spazmobryu".

Myotropic antispasmodics

This is a more famous group of drugs. They are used much more often than neurotropic antispasmodics. These drugs affect the cells of the smooth muscles of the internal organs and do not penetrate the brain. They block the flow of calcium ions and certain enzymes into the cells and thereby prevent muscle contraction. Very often, myotropic antispasmodics for the intestine are used. These drugs are known to many and are often prescribed by doctors. Sometimes medicines with one active substance are issued under different names:

• Preparations based on drotaverine: Bespa, Bioshpa, Drotaverin, No-Shpa, Spazmol, Spazmonet, Spasmoverin, and others;

• Drugs with papaverine: "Papaverin", "Papaverina hydrochloride" and "Papazol";
• Preparations, which include mebeverin: Mebeverina hydrochloride, Duspatalin, Niaspam, Sparex;
• Medicines with the active substance trimebutin: "Trimedat" and "Neobutin."

Plant-derived antispasmodics

Many plants are also able to affect the smooth muscles of internal organs. They have long been used as antispasmodics in the form of broths and infusions. These are grasses such as mint, belladonna, tansy, chamomile, fennel and others. Now there are new plant antispasmodics (drugs). Their names are becoming more and more known, as such drugs are better tolerated and have fewer side effects. The most popular of them are:

• "Plantex" relieves spasms of the intestine and can be used even for young children.

• "Iberogast" is created on the basis of 9 herbs, which are effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• "Azulan" containing chamomile extract.
• "Prospan" - antispasmodic on the basis of ivy leaves.
• "Tanatechol" contains a tansy extract.
• "Altalex" besides antispasmodic has an anti-inflammatory and sedative effect.

Complex preparations

In recent years, pain relievers have become more popular, including several active substances. They allow one tablet not only to relieve muscle spasm and reduce pain, but also to eliminate its cause. For example, non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs-antispasmodics relax muscles, relieve inflammation and fever, remove pain. The most famous complex medicines are:

• Novigan is used for renal and intestinal colic, dysmenorrhea, migraine and joint pain.
• "Spasmalgon" is effective for various pains and spasms, fever, increased pressure.
• The drug "Trigan" contains paracetamol and dicycloverin and well relieves spastic pain.
• "Pentalgin" - a very popular anesthetic drug, containing five active ingredients that are effective not only for pain and spasms, but also for fever.

• "Andipal" works well for only a variety of spastic pains, but slightly reduces the pressure.

The most famous antispasmodics

The list of drugs that relieve pain and spasms is growing every year. But some of them are popular for a long time. These are "Papaverin", "Drotaverin", "Dibazolum", "Papazol" and others. But the most popular drug is No-Shpa. It is based on drotaverine, but is considered more effective and safe.

The most commonly used all these drugs for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, antispasmodics are very in demand in pancreatitis. These drugs help to remove the severe pain that is unavoidable in this disease. This is best helped by No-Shpa, Platifillin, Atropine Papaverin. They are also effective for cholecystitis, renal and intestinal colic. In addition to gastrointestinal diseases, they are effective for spasms of blood vessels and circulatory disorders "Galidor", "Dibazolum", "Nomigren", "Papazol", "Nikoshpan" and others. A "Teopek", "Euphylinus" and "Erespal" are well removed bronchospasm.

Contraindications and side effects

Most antispasmodics are well tolerated even by small patients. Therefore, many of them can be purchased without a prescription. Especially because they drink these drugs once - just to relieve pain. But in this case, you must first consult with a doctor. After all, not everyone can take antispasmodics. They are contraindicated when:

• Tuberculosis;
• Bacterial infections;
• Serious abnormalities of the intestine;
• Severe disorders in the work of the heart, liver and kidneys;
• Individual intolerance.

It is also not recommended to take spasmolytics for pregnant and lactating women. In addition to allergic reactions to active substances, after taking these drugs, there may be other side effects:

• Upset stomach, nausea, flatulence and dry mouth;
• Disorders in the work of the central nervous system - anxiety, convulsions and nervous excitement;
• Headaches and dizziness;
• Violations of the cardiovascular system - tachycardia, pressure reduction.