Mydocalm® is a centrally acting, non-sedating muscle relaxant. This means it is a muscle relaxant that works in the brain but does not affect mental performance. The active ingredient contained in the product is called tolperisone.
Effect
Mydocalm® is a sodium channel blocker. These channels are involved in the transmission of information to the nerves. If these channels are blocked, pain or information that could trigger cramps can no longer be passed on.
Related drugs
There are several products that, like Mydocalm®, contain the active ingredient tolperisone. These include in particular manufacturers of generic drugs. The drugs are then usually called “Tolperisone XY”, where XY is the brand name, e.g. “Tolperisone HEXAL”.
Products that can also be used for tension are e.g. Baclofen or Sirdalud®, whereby the latter also causes fatigue. Mydocalm® is used for painful muscle tension. These can be caused, for example, by bad posture or back pain.
Mydocalm® can also be used for so-called spasticity, i.e. persistent muscle cramps, for example after a stroke. Since 2012, however, Mydocalm® has been officially approved in Germany only for spasms after a stroke and no longer for back pain. The approval for the treatment of back pain was withdrawn in 2012, as the drug studies on efficacy date back to the 1960s and 70s and therefore no longer meet today’s standards. However, many doctors have many years of good experience in treating back pain with Mydocalm® , so the withdrawal of the approval is not without controversy. Mydocalm® continues to be used successfully in other European countries, especially Switzerland, and is also officially used for back pain.
Dosage
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, between 150 and 450mg of Mydocalm® per day are prescribed. However, since Mydocalm® has a relatively short effect, the drug must be taken three times a day. This results in dosages of 3x50mg to 3x150mg per day. Since older people also generally tolerate Mydocalm® well, the dosage does not need to be adjusted in older people.