Pain accompanies many diseases of the 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 act either on the very smooth muscles of the internal organs, or on the process of transmission of nerve impulses in the brain. Due to the relaxation of the muscles, the pain goes away, in many cases this happens quite quickly. Therefore, antispasmodics are so popular with doctors and patients. The list of these drugs 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 are antispasmodics?
These drugs relieve pain caused by muscle spasm. They are also able to dilate blood vessels and bronchi, stimulate cardiac activity. Antispasmodics and painkillers are now widely used in medicine. Back in the middle of the 19th century from the headspoppy was isolated papaverine. But only in the 20s of the 20th century was its ability to relieve spasms discovered, and it began to be widely used. Research in this area continued, and "Dibazol" was created, which also had a vasodilating effect. And in the 60s, after the creation of No-Shpa, antispasmodics became even more popular.
These drugs are used for pain in the stomach, renal colic, pancreatitis and cholecystitis, migraine and menstrual pain, cerebrovascular accident and high blood pressure. Some of them are able to relieve bronchospasm or heart pain, while others are used only for stomach diseases.
Classification of these drugs
- Neurotropic 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 act on the brain and have a complex effect on internal organs, others have a more selective effect on receptors in the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.
- Myotropic antispasmodics. These drugs are more common, as they act directly on the smooth muscles of the internal organs. They affect the biochemical processes occurring in the cells and can quickly relax the muscles.
- Neuromyotropic antispasmodics. They have a stronger effect, as they combine the advantages of other groups. To theminclude "Baralgin", "Tempalgin", "Spazgan", "Maksigan" and others.
Neurotropic antispasmodics
These drugs are divided into two groups depending on the mode of action.
- The most common neurotropic antispasmodics are Atropine sulfate, Platifillin, Scopolamine and Hyoscyamine. They act on M-cholinergic receptors involved in the passage of nerve impulses through the brain. Therefore, in addition to relieving spasms of smooth muscles, neurotropic antispasmodics reduce the activity of the endocrine glands and the release of hydrochloric acid, increase the heart rate and increase intraocular pressure.
- The drug "Hyoscine butylbromide" has a more selective effect. It does not penetrate the brain and does not affect other organs. Its effect extends only to the receptors of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. This medicine is more popular abroad, and in our country it is known under the names "Butylscopolamine", "Buscopan", "Spanil" or "Spasmobrew".
Myotropic antispasmodics
This is a better known group of drugs. They are used much more often than neurotropic antispasmodics. These drugs act on the smooth muscle cells of the internal organs and do not penetrate the brain. They block the entry of calcium ions andcertain enzymes into the cells and thus prevent muscle contraction. Very often used myotropic antispasmodics for the intestines. These drugs are known to many and are often prescribed by doctors. Sometimes drugs with the same active ingredient are produced under different names:
drugs based on drotaverine: "Bespa", "Bioshpa", "Drotaverine", "No-Shpa", "Spazmol", "Spasmonet", "Spazmoverine" and others;
- drugs with papaverine: "Papaverine", "Papaverine hydrochloride" and "Papazol";
- drugs that include mebeverine: "Mebeverine hydrochloride", "Duspatalin", "Niaspam", "Sparex";
- drugs with the active ingredient trimebutin: "Trimedat" and "Neobutin".
Anspasmodics of plant origin
Many plants are also able to act on the smooth muscles of the internal organs. They have long been used as antispasmodics in the form of decoctions and infusions. These are herbs such as mint, belladonna, tansy, chamomile, fennel and others. Now there are new herbal antispasmodics (drugs). Their names are becoming more and more known, as such drugs are better tolerated and have fewer side effects. The most popular ones:
"Plantex" relieves intestinal spasms and can be used even for small children
- "Iberogast" is based on 9 herbs that are effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- "Azulan" containing chamomile extract.
- "Prospan" - an antispasmodic based on ivy leaves.
- "Tanacechol" contains tansy extract.
- "Altalex" in addition to antispasmodic has an anti-inflammatory and sedative effect.
Complex preparations
In recent years, painkillers containing several active ingredients have become more popular. 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 antispasmodic drugs relax muscles, relieve inflammation and fever, and relieve 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, high blood pressure.
- The drug "Trigan" contains paracetamol and dicycloverine and well relieves spastic pain.
- Pentalgin is a very popular pain reliever containing five active active ingredients that are effective not only for pain and spasms, but also for fever.
"Andipal" helps well only with various spastic pains, but slightly reduces pressure
The most famousantispasmodics
The list of drugs that relieve pain and spasms is growing every year. But some of them have been popular for a long time. These are "Papaverin", "Drotaverin", "Dibazol", "Papazol" and others. But the most popular drug is No-Shpa. It was created on the basis of drotaverine, but is considered more effective and safer.
The most commonly used all these drugs for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, antispasmodics for pancreatitis are in great demand. These drugs help relieve severe pain, inevitable in this disease. Best of all, No-Shpa, Platifillin, Atropine, Papaverine help with this. They are also effective in cholecystitis, renal and intestinal colic. In addition to gastrointestinal diseases, Galidor, Dibazol, Nomigren, Papazol, Nikoshpan and others are effective in spasms of blood vessels and circulatory disorders. And Teopec, Eufilin and Erespal relieve bronchospasm well.
Contraindications and side effects
Most antispasmodics are well tolerated even by small patients. Therefore, many of them can be purchased without a prescription. Moreover, they drink such drugs one-time - only to relieve pain. But in this case, you must first consult a doctor. After all, not everyone can take antispasmodics. They are contraindicated at:
- tuberculosis;
- bacterial infections;
- seriousintestinal pathologies;
- severe disorders of the heart, liver and kidneys;
- individual intolerance.
It is also not recommended to take antispasmodics for pregnant and lactating women. In addition to allergic reactions to active substances, after taking these drugs, there may be other side effects:
- indigestion, nausea, flatulence and dry mouth;
- disturbances in the work of the central nervous system - anxiety, convulsions and nervous excitement;
- headaches and dizziness;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system - tachycardia, decreased pressure.
