[Medical treatment of spasticity]

Neurochirurgie. 2003 May;49(2-3 Pt 2):247-55.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Spasticity is one of the clinical signs observed after a lesion of the pyramidal tract. Clinical manifestations are polymorphous and depend on the location of the lesion on the pre-motoneuron. Functional consequences are also variable. Only negative effects such as painful spasms, stiffness, distortions, are to be treated. Three different categories of drugs are available: GABA-like (baclofen, benzodiazepine), central alpha 2 agonists (tizanidine, clonidine) and peripheral anti-spastics (dantrolene). Baclofen remains the most commonly used anti-spastic. The preferential indication is spasticity from spinal cord disease, especially when the aetiology is multiple sclerosis. Efficacy of benzodiazepines (diazepam, tetrazepam, clonazepam) is comparable with baclofen; however, side effects (drowsiness) are more frequent. Benzodiazepines are indicated when spasticity is associated with anxiety. Tizanidine is an efficient and well tolerated antispastic. In France, prescription requires a temporary authorization of use. Dantrolen has a peripheral mechanism of action and can be prescribed in the different forms of spasticity. There are other compounds with anti-spastic properties (gabapentine, cyproheptadine, piracetam). Their advantage is rather limited when used alone. Generally, they are administrated in combinaison with usual anti-spastic drugs.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • GABA Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use*
  • Muscle Spasticity / complications
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / physiopathology
  • Neuromuscular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • GABA Agonists
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Neuromuscular Agents