Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium®)

Unlike baclofen and the benzodiazepines, dantrolene does not act at the level of the central nervous system. Instead, it acts directly on the muscle by blocking the signals that cause muscles to contract. Dantrolene decreases muscle tone, clonus, and spasm and is less likely to cause problems with confusion or clouded thinking than are the benzodiazepines and baclofen taken by mouth. When used over a long period of time, dantrolene may cause a change in the type of muscle fiber so that the muscle fibers become more rapidly fatigued. It may also cause diarrhea, mild sleepiness, weakness, nausea, or liver damage. The use of dantrolene requires regular monitoring of liver function. Dantrolene is first-line therapy for the treatment of severe spasticity due to traumatic brain injury and may be very helpful in the treatment of spasticity due to cerebral palsy.

	Imidazolines (Clonidine and Tizanidine)