Products
Spasmolytics are commercially available in the form of tablets, suppositories, and injectables, among others. In many countries, scopolamine butylbromide is among the best-known representatives.
Structure and properties
Spasmolytics are often derived from the tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine from nightshade plants or from the benzylisoquinoline papaverine from the opium poppy.
Effects
Spasmolytics have spasmolytic (antispasmodic) properties on the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, and genitourinary tract. They can also reduce the tone of the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and bronchi. This is in contrast to muscle relaxants, which are effective on skeletal muscle. A distinction is made between neurotropic and musculotropic spasmolytics. Neurotropic spasmolytics include parasympatholytics such as atropine and scopolamine with anticholinergic properties. They abolish the effects of a portion of the autonomic nervous system. Papaverine and its derivatives such as mebeverine are among the musculotropic (myotropic) spasmolytics. They act directly on smooth muscle.
Indications
The following is a selection of indications for the use of spasmolytics. Not all agents are suitable for all indications:
- Abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, colic.
- Pain, cramps and motility disorders of the digestive tract.
- Cramps and functional complaints of the biliary tract.
- Menstrual cramps
- Spastic constipation
- Vascular spasms
- Hyperactive bladder
- Respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD
- Cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris, vasospastic diseases.
Dosage
According to the professional information. Dosage depends on the drug.
Active ingredients
The following list shows a selection of spasmolytic agents: parasympatholytics:
- Atropine (hyoscyamine).
- Oxybutynin (ditropan)
- Scopolamine
- Scopolamine butyl bromide (buscopan)
Papaverine derivatives:
- Mebeverine (Duspatalin)
- Papaverine
- Pinaverium bromide (dicetel)
Bronchospasmolytics:
- Fenoterol
- Ipratropium bromide
- Salbutamol
Organic nitrates:
- Nitroglycerin
Calcium channel blocker:
- Nifedipine
Pyrazolone:
- Metamizole (Novalgin, Minalgin, generics).
Herbal spasmolytics:
- Anise, fennel, caraway
- Chamomile
- Melissa
- Butterbur
- Peppermint
- Belladonna (poisonous plant, standardized extracts).
Active ingredients that are not commercially available in many countries:
- Caroverin (Calmavérine, out of trade).
- Drofenin (Lunadon, not on sale)
- Metixen (Spasmo-Canulase, out of commerce).
- Moxaverine
