Editing Muscle relaxant (section)

{{Short description|Drug for skeletal muscle function}}
{{About|skeletal muscle relaxants|smooth muscle relaxants|Antispasmodic}}
A '''muscle relaxant''' is a drug that affects [[skeletal muscle]] function and decreases the [[muscle tone]]. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle [[spasm]]s, [[pain]], and [[hyperreflexia]]. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therapeutic groups: [[Neuromuscular-blocking drugs|neuromuscular blockers]] and [[Antispasmodic|spasmolytics]]. Neuromuscular blockers act by interfering with transmission at the neuromuscular end plate and have no [[central nervous system]] (CNS) activity. They are often used during surgical procedures and in [[intensive care]] and [[emergency medicine]] to cause temporary [[paralysis]]. Spasmolytics, also known as "centrally acting" muscle relaxant, are used to alleviate [[musculoskeletal]] pain and spasms and to reduce [[spasticity]] in a variety of [[neurological]] conditions. While both neuromuscular blockers and spasmolytics are often grouped together as muscle relaxant,<ref name="medicinenet">"[http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=77812 Definition of Muscle relaxant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016065246/http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=77812 |date=2013-10-16 }}." ''[http://www.medterms.com/ MedicineNet.com].'' (c) 1996–2007. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.</ref><ref name="medilexicon">"[http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=77351 muscle relaxant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006073258/http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=77351 |date=2013-10-06 }}." ''[http://www.medilexicon.com/ mediLexicon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006083212/http://www.medilexicon.com/ |date=2013-10-06 }}.'' (c) 2007. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.</ref> the term is commonly used to refer to spasmolytics only.<ref name="webmd">"[http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/Muscle-relaxants-for-low-back-pain Muscle relaxants]." ''[[WebMD]].'' Last Updated: February 15, 2006. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.</ref><ref name="mayoclinic">"[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602309 Skeletal Muscle Relaxant (Oral Route, Parenteral Route)]." ''[[Mayo Clinic]].'' Last Updated: April 1, 2007. Retrieved on September 19, 2007.</ref>