Adverse Effects of Muscle Relaxants on Colitis

Colitis is digestive tract inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is marked by stomach pain and diarrhea. Colitis typically affects the rectum and colon, or lining of the large intestine and is limited to one area of the intestines, unlike other IBDs. It is currently incurable, but the symptoms can be treated. Colitis is affected by a wide range of medications.

Description of Symptoms

• Colitis sufferers routinely experience bloody stools, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping, the urge to defecate while being unable to (tenesmus) and weight loss. The symptoms experienced vary from patient to patient. Some develop a more serious degree of symptoms than others, with a few suffering from a constant presence of symptoms. Colitis can be debilitating and even life-threatening.

Function of Muscle Relaxants

• Muscle relaxants are given to patients who are experiencing pain and discomfort due to stiffness, sprains, strains or other muscle injury. They are generally used temporarily as part of a rehabilitation program. Muscle relaxants work by altering the signals in the central nervous system and this affect causes the bulk of the side effects.

General Side Effects of Muscle Relaxants

• Most of the side effects caused by muscle relaxants are not serious for most people and will go away when you stop taking them. Common ones include: drowsiness, light-headedness or dizziness, or changes in vision. More serious side effects include swelling, irregular breathing, sore throat, chills and unusual bleeding or bruising.

Muscle Relaxants and Colitis

• For those with colitis, some of the adverse side effects of muscle relaxants aggravate symptoms caused by their condition. These effects include nausea, stomach cramps or pain, diarrhea, constipation, and black, bloody or tarry stool. Some of these side effects may decrease over time or may go away after you have ceased taking the medication.

Prevention/Solution

• Muscle relaxants are not specifically discouraged for use by those with colitis or other IBDs, but they are generally not recommended for use by those who have problems with urinary retention. Since the drugs may not react well with your condition, be sure to tell your doctor that you have colitis before beginning a regimen of muscle relaxants. Your doctor may choose to place you on another form of medication or he may just focus on therapeutic treatments.