Chapter 24 Drugs for Neuromuscular Disorders: Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Muscle Spasms Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

2 Myasthenia Gravis (MG)  Pathophysiology  Autoimmune disorder  Lack of nerve impulses and muscle responses at myoneural junction  Inadequate secretion of acetylcholine (ACh)  Loss of ACh because of an increase in the enzyme acetylcholinesterase  Thymus gland  Characteristics  Muscular weakness and fatigue  Respiratory muscle paralysis, ptosis, difficulty chewing and swallowing Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

3 Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinesterase Inhibitors  Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE inhibitors)  Neostigmine (Prostigmin): short-acting  Edrophonium (Tensilon): ultrashort-acting for diagnosing  Pyridostigmine (Mestinon): intermediate-acting  Ambenonium (Mytelase): long-acting  Action Transmission of neuromuscular impulses by preventing destruction of Ach  Use Control and treat MG Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

4 Patients Not Responding to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors  Prednisone  Plasma exchange  Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) or immunosuppressive drugs  Azathioprine (Imuran) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

5 AChE Inhibitors  Overdosing and underdosing  Similar symptoms  Muscle weakness, dyspnea  Dysphagia, abdominal cramping  Drooling, increases tearing, sweating  Bradycardia  Myasthenia crisis: underdosed  Cholinergic crisis: overdosed Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

6 Myasthenia Gravis (Cont.)  Myasthenic crisis  Severe muscle weakness May involve diaphragm and intercostal muscles  Triggers: Inadequate dosing Infection Emotional stress Menses, pregnancy Surgery, trauma Hypokalemia, alcohol intake Medication interactions  Improves after edrophonium (Tensilon) and neostigmine (Prostigmin) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

7 Myasthenia Gravis (Cont.)  Cholinergic crisis  Usually occurs within 30 to 60 minutes after taking anticholinergic medications  Severe muscle weakness Possible respiratory paralysis and arrest Abnormal pupil constriction Excess salivation Pallor, sweating, vertigo GI distress Bradycardia Fasciculations  Worsens after edrophonium chloride (Tensilon)  Triggers Overdosing Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

8 AChE Inhibitors (Cont.)  Side effects  GI disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps)  Increased salivation  Tearing  Miosis (constricted pupil of the eye)  Blurred vision  Bradycardia  Hypotension Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

9 Nursing Process: AChE Inhibitors  Assessment  Nursing diagnosis  Planning  Nursing interventions  Patient teaching  Cultural considerations  Evaluation Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

10 Nursing Process: AChE Inhibitors  Nursing interventions  Administer doses on time.  Take drug before meals if possible.  Monitor drug effectiveness.  Have antidote available for cholinergic crisis. Atropine  Encourage patient to wear medical identification. Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

11 Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  Pathophysiology  Autoimmune disorder  Attacks myelin sheath of nerve fibers in brain and spinal cord  Causes lesions or plaques  Characteristics  Remissions and exacerbations  Weakness  Spasticity in extremities  Diplopia Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

12 Multiple Sclerosis (Cont.)  Diagnosis  No specific diagnostic test  McDonald Criteria  Laboratory tests that may suggest MS include Elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the cerebrospinal fluid Increased IgG/albumin ratio Multiple lesions observable through MRI Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

13 Multiple Sclerosis Treatment  Acute attack: tapering course of glucocorticoids (prednisone), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (H.P. Acthar)  Remission-exacerbation: biologic (immune) response modifiers (BRMs)  Chronic progressive: immunosuppressant therapy Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

14 Skeletal Muscle Relaxants  Spasticity (Centrally acting)  Baclofen (Lioresal)  Tizanidine (Zanaflex)  Spasticity (Direct acting)  Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

15 Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Cont.) Centrally acting muscle relaxants  Carisoprodol (Soma)  Chlorzoxazone (Parafon forte DSC)  Methocarbamol (Robaxin)  Metaxalone (Skelaxin)  Orphenadrine citrate (Norflex) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

16 Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Cont.)  Depolarizing muscle relaxants (adjunct to anesthesia)  Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)  Succinylcholine (Anectine)  Vecuronium (Norcuron)  Tubocurarine Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

17 Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Cont.)  Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)  Action Relax skeletal muscles  Use Alleviates muscle spasm associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions  Side effects Anticholinergic effects Drowsiness; dizziness Headache Fever Abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhea; flatulence Erectile dysfunction Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

18 Nursing Process: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants  Assessment  Nursing diagnoses  Planning  Nursing interventions  Patient teaching  Cultural considerations  Evaluation Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

19 Nursing Process: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (Cont.)  Nursing Interventions  Take with food.  Monitor liver function.  Check vital signs.  Advise patient not to drive.  Inform patient that most centrally acting muscle relaxants are prescribed for no longer than 3 weeks.  Teach patient not to stop abruptly. Discontinue over 1 week to avoid rebound spasms.  Have patient avoid alcohol and other depressants. Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

20 Case Study A patient with myasthenia gravis comes to the emergency department in respiratory distress. He has been diagnosed with myasthenic crisis. The nurse anticipates administration of which drug? A.Diazepam (Valium) B.Baclofen (Lioresal) C.Edrophonium (Tensilon) D.Neostigmine (Prostigmin) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

21 Case Study The patient is prescribed pyridostigmine (Mestinon). To avoid development of myasthenic crisis in the future, the nurse should include which information in the patient teaching? A.Take muscle relaxants for cramps. B.Take medication with meals. C.It may take 2-3 days before improvement of symptoms occur. D.Medication should be taken at the time of day when you feel the weakest. Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

22 Case Study The patient is readmitted to the emergency department a few weeks later with cholinergic crisis. The nurse anticipates administration of A.atropine sulfate. B.baclofen (Lioresal). C.edrophonium (Tensilon). D.neostigmine (Prostigmin). Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

23 Case Study A student nurse asks the ED nurse which symptom is most likely to differentiate myasthenic crisis from cholinergic crisis. The ED nurse should say that even though the symptoms of the two conditions are similar, which is most likely to occur with cholinergic crisis? A.Drooling B.Muscle weakness C.Dyspnea D.Dysphagia Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

24 Practice Question #1 A patient with myasthenia gravis comes to the emergency department in respiratory distress. To determine if the patient is in myasthenic crisis or cholinergic crisis, the nurse anticipates administration of which drug? A.Diazepam (Valium) B.Baclofen (Lioresal) C.Edrophonium (Tensilon) D.Neostigmine (Prostigmin) Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

25 Practice Question #2 The nurse identifies which patient as being least likely to experience adverse effects of clobenzaprine (Flexaril) therapy? The patient A.who is taking an MAOI. B.with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma. C.who has a history of myasthenia gravis. D.who is prescribed an oral antidiabetic agent. Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

26 Practice Question #3 A patient with myasthenia gravis is prescribed neostigmine bromide (Prostigmin). The nurse identifies that the medication is effective when the patient experiences? A.Increased muscle strength B.Decrease in sweating and salivation C.Changes in vital signs to within normal limits D.Decrease in generalized pain Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

27 Practice Question #4 A patient with multiple sclerosis is being treated with large doses of corticosteroids. Which nursing diagnosis would be the priority at this time? A.Alteration in nutrition: less than body requirements B.Risk for infection C.Ineffective individual coping D.Fatigue Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.

28 Practice Question #5 A child with cerebral palsy is ordered to receive baclofen (Lioresal). The nurse is aware that this medication is prescribed to A.induce sleep and rest. B.increase appetite. C.reduce muscle spasticity. D.increase bowel function. Copyright © 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1993 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.