Cerebral Palsy
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Spasticity and Drug Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
Botox (Botulinum toxin)
What is Botox?
Botox is the Botulinum toxin, which causes food poisoning. Botox injections are commonly used in cosmetic surgery to reduce wrinkles. These injections were first used to treat muscle spasm in people with hemifacial spasms. It was observed during this treatment that the injections reduced facial wrinkles. Recent clinical studies have shown that injecting Botox into the spastic muscles of cerebral palsy sufferers can bring relief by causing the muscles to relax.
How is it given?
A small needle is used to inject BOTOX directly into the spastic muscle. Dosage is based on body weight. The injection is relatively painful and requires no anesthesia.
How can it help?
Botox injections usually help reduce muscle spasticity, and can help support physical therapy. The effects of a Botox injection into a muscle usually last for approximately 12 weeks, after which time another injection is needed. If enough relaxation occurs following an injection, doctors may splint the limb, hoping to create a more permanent increased range of motion.
What are the side effects?
People sometimes experience headache or muscle aches after an injection. Botox cannot be used during pregnancy, or if someone is nursing.
Flexeril (Cyclobenzadrine)
What is Flexeril? Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking the nerve impulses the body sends to the brain. This drug is most commonly, prescribed for short-term use for those with muscle injuries or spasms. It is occasionally ordered for cerebral palsy sufferers, but not frequently.
How is it given?
Flexeril is most often given orally.
How can it help?
Flexeril is not a popular choice among physicians for reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy. However, it reduces muscles spasms and spasticity by blocking nerve impulses to the brain, which in turn sends out signals for the muscle to contract.
What are the side effects?Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and insomnia.
Anti-seizure Medications for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is often associated with seizures. Seizures can be noticed when there is an uncontrolled contraction of muscles in an area of the body. A seizure can also be recognized by a small moment of "black out" that can seem like daydreaming. Seizures are most frequently caused by injury to the brain, brain tumors, low blood sugars, as can happen in diabetes, high fevers, and in epilepsy.
Depakene (Valproic Acid)
What is Depakene?
Also known as Valproate and Valrelease, Depakene is an anti-seizure medication. How exactly it works is unknown. Depakene can be used to treat both petit mal and grand mal seizures.
How is it given?
Depakene can be given in tablet or liquid form.
How can it help?
Depakene can help control and eliminate seizures.
What are the side effects?
Depakene should not be used by anyone with liver disease. Liver function studies should be performed at regular intervals while on this drug. Depakene can enhance the effects of alcohol and other drugs that depress the central nervous system. The most commonly reported adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, and indigestion
Further information on Drug Therapy