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[Muscle relaxants].
- Source :
-
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2010 Feb 25; Vol. 130 (4), pp. 398-401. - Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Background: Muscle relaxants were introduced into clinical anaesthesia for the first time in 1942. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the history of muscle relaxants, their mode of action and their role in current anaesthetic practice.<br />Material and Method: The review is based on clinical experience, own research and a non-systematic literature search using PubMed.<br />Results: A muscle relaxant is either suxamethonium (curacit) or one of many curare compounds. One of the curare drugs was brought to Europe from South America in the 1700 s and the active substance (called d-tubocurarine) was isolated in 1935. This type of drug paralyses striated muscles that are under voluntary control by interfering with the normal signalling system between nerve and muscle. Muscle relaxants provide optimal relaxation of skeletal muscles during surgical procedures, an effect that otherwise may require the use of high doses of anaesthetic drugs. However, muscle relaxants are not anaesthetic drugs, do not affect consciousness and have no pain relieving effect. A muscle relaxant that works optimally in all clinical settings has unfortunately not been developed so far.<br />Interpretation: Muscle relaxants are generally safe drugs when used appropriately, but especially suxamethonium may have serious side effects. A muscle relaxant is regularly used during induction of anaesthesia, but less during surgery, because modern anaesthetics possess some muscle relaxing effect.
- Subjects :
- History, 20th Century
Humans
Motor Endplate drug effects
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents adverse effects
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents history
Preanesthetic Medication
Receptors, Cholinergic drug effects
Succinylcholine administration & dosage
Succinylcholine adverse effects
Succinylcholine history
Tubocurarine administration & dosage
Tubocurarine adverse effects
Tubocurarine history
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents administration & dosage
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- Norwegian
- ISSN :
- 0807-7096
- Volume :
- 130
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20220868
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.08.0323