Pain accompanies many diseases of the internal organs. In most cases, it is associated with spastic muscle contraction. Tolerate such pain is very painful. To cope with it, special medicines have been created - antispasmodics. These drugs affect either the very smooth muscles of the internal organs, or the process of transmission of nerve impulses in the brain. Due to muscle relaxation, the pain goes away, in many cases it 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 medicines quickly relieve cramping and relieve 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 mid-19th century, papaverine was isolated from the heads of poppies. But only in the 20s of the 20th century was his ability to relieve spasms discovered, and he began to be widely used. Research in this area continued, and Dibazole was created, which also had a vasodilating effect. And in the 60s, after the creation of No-Shp, antispasmodics became even more popular.
These drugs are used for pain in the stomach, renal colic, with pancreatitis and cholecestitis, 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 gastric 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 internal organs. Some of them act on the brain and have a complex effect on the 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 directly affect the smooth muscles of the internal organs. They affect the biochemical processes in the cells, and are able to quickly relax the muscles.
- Neuromyotropic antispasmodics. They have a stronger effect, as they combine the advantages of other groups. These include Baralgin, Tempalgin, Spazgan, Maxigan and others.
Neurotropic antispasmodics
These drugs are divided into two groups depending on the method of exposure.
- 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 smooth muscle spasms, neurotropic antispasmodics reduce the activity of endocrine glands and the release of hydrochloric acid, increase the heart rate and increase intraocular pressure.
- 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 the smooth muscle receptors of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. This medicine is more popular abroad, and in our country it is known under the names "Butylscopolamine", "Buscopan", "Spanil" or "Spazmobru".
Myotropic antispasmodics
This is a better known group of drugs. They are used much more often than neurotropic antispasmodics. These drugs affect the smooth muscle cells of the internal organs and do not penetrate the brain. They block the flow of calcium ions and certain enzymes into the cells and thus prevent muscle contraction. Very often myotropic antispasmodics are used for the intestine. These drugs are known to many and are often prescribed by doctors. Sometimes drugs with one active substance are available under different names:
- preparations based on drotaverin: Bespa, Biosha, Drotaverin, No-Shpa, Spazmol, Spazmonet, Spazmoverin and others;
- drugs with papaverine: Papaverine, Papaverine hydrochloride and Papazol;
- drugs that include mebeverin: "Mebeverin hydrochloride", "Duspatalin", "Niaspam", "Sparex";
- drugs with the active substance trimebutin: "Trimedat" and "Neobutin".
Antispasmodics of plant origin
Many plants are also able to affect the smooth muscles of 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, since such drugs are better tolerated and have fewer side effects. The most popular of them:
- "Plantex" relieves intestinal cramps and can be used even for small children.
- "Iberogast" is created on the basis of 9 herbs that are effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- "Azulan" containing chamomile extract.
- "Prospan" is an antispasmodic based on ivy leaves.
- "Tanacehol" contains tansy extract.
- "Altaleks" in addition to antispasmodic has anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.
Complex preparations
In recent years, painkillers, which include several active substances, have become more popular. They allow one tablet to not only relieve muscle spasm and reduce pain, but also 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.
- "Spazmalgon" is effective for various pains and cramps, fever, high blood pressure.
- The drug "Trigan" contains paracetamol and dicycloverin and well relieves spastic pain.
- Pentalgin is a very popular pain medication containing five active active ingredients that are effective not only for pain and cramping, but also for fever.
- "Andipal" helps well only with various spastic pains, but slightly reduces pressure.
The most famous antispasmodics
The list of drugs that relieve pain and cramping is growing every year. But some of them have been popular for a long time. These are "Papaverine", "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 safe.
Most often, all these drugs are used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, antispasmodics for pancreatitis are very popular . These drugs help relieve severe pain, inevitable with this disease. Best of all, No-Shpa, Platyphyllin, Atropine, Papaverine help. They are also effective for cholecestitis, renal and intestinal colic. In addition to gastrointestinal diseases , Halidor, Dibazol, Nomigren, Papazol, Nikoshpan and others are effective for vascular spasms and circulatory disorders. And “Theopec”, “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 once - only to relieve pain. But in this case, you must first consult a doctor. After all, not everyone can take antispasmodics. They are contraindicated in:
- tuberculosis
- bacterial infections;
- serious intestinal pathologies;
- severe violations in the work 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;
- disorders in the central nervous system - anxiety, cramps and nervous agitation;
- headaches and dizziness;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system - tachycardia, decreased pressure.