Question

4. Discuss vasoconstrictors. What are some "popular" medications that are in this class? What effects can these medications have on the body? What is the pathophysiology of vasoconstrictors? Why are vasoconstrictors used as an anesthetic, or why are they combined with anesthetics? What can be done (and what is the classification of an antidote) if a vasoconstrictor causes a life threatening reaction? 5. Discuss skeletal muscle relaxants. What is the pathophysiology? What are some medications that are in this class? What would be some reasons a person would be given a prescription for a skeletal muscle relaxant? What are the side effects? Can a person develop a tolerance to these medications? What education would you provide your patient?

Answer 1

4. Vasoconstrictors : Vasoconstrictors are one which makes the blood vessels constrict, This process is also considered as opposite process for vasodilation.

Vasoconstrictors drugs :

• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamnine
• Dobutamine
• Vasopressin
• Phenylephrine

Pathophysiology

Vasoconstrictors on ingestion creates contraction of the smooth muscles which causes blood vessels to constrict.This leads to increased blood pressure in veins which leads to cardiac preload and increased cardiac output and also some of the other complications.

Vasoconstrictors are actually combine with anaesthetics to work against vasodilation , as a result blood flow to the particular area that is injected area will be decreased.

Antidote for Vasoconstrictors is Phentolamine mesylate.

5. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants : These are the drugs that decreases the muscle tone in skeletal part.They relax the muscles and reduce tension.

Drugs :

• cyclobenzaprine
• carisoprodol
• Methocarbamol
• Metaxalone
• Baclofen
• Oxazepam

Pathophysiology of muscle relaxants:

These actually when ingested makes muscle to become free and relaxed by acting on central nervous system reduces pain and discomfort.

Side effects of muscle relaxants:

• Dizziness
• Drymouth
• Low blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Drowsiness

​​​​​​​Yes people gets addicted to muscle relaxants and prolonged use will not show any effects.So always a small dose must be prescribed.

The only education that should be given is ask the persons to use the drug only when ever necessary or required.