What is the equivalent of Myolastan?

What is Myolastan?

Myolastan® contains tetrazepam which belongs to the benzodiazepine family. It’s a muscle relaxant drug (muscle relaxant) administered orally.

Indications: what are the effects of Myolastan?

Because of its action on muscle relaxation, Myolastan® is used to relieve muscle contractures painful such as neck, lumbar and back pain. It is also indicated as a short-term treatment for spasticity (involuntary muscle stiffness) found in a context of multiple sclerosis, stroke or spinal cord injury. Some doctors prescribe it to promote sleep. However, such a prescription is characterized by a misuse of its use. Despite its sedative properties, this drug does not present no indication in sleep disorders.

Why was it taken off the market?

The market withdrawal of Myolastan® has taken place in 2013 due to an unfavorable benefit/risk balance : the risks incurred by the patients were greater than the therapeutic benefits. First of all, the effectiveness of Myolastan on muscle contractures has not been demonstrated. Besides, several rare but serious skin reactions have been reported in patients who have taken this treatment for short periods at the recommended doses. These reactions called Stevens-Johnson and Lyell syndrome are unpredictable, severe and can lead to death.

What side effects?

Apart from severe skin reactions, Myolastan® exposes you to more frequently observed side effects such as drowsiness associated with reduced alertness, behavioral problems, double vision, a phenomenon of psychological and physical dependence. Neuropsychiatric effects may also occur such as headaches, nightmares, irritability and amnesia. More rarely, allergic signs such as erythema, itching and hives can manifest.

What can I replace Myolastan with?

Myolastan® has no strict equivalent

Myolastan® can be replaced by another muscle relaxant which differs according to the indication:

• Lumirelax® (methocarbamol) : to relieve painful muscle contractures.
• Miorel® and other thiocolchicoside-based medicinal products: for muscle contractures localized in the spine (torticollis, lumbago, back pain).
• Atepadene® (adenosine triphosphate): for back pain unrelated to an underlying disease.
• Dantrium® (dantrolene) or Lioresal® (baclofen): for spastic contractures in the case of multiple sclerosis, brain or spinal cord involvement.

What is its equivalent?

Panos®, the equivalent of Myolastan® in terms of composition and dosage was also withdrawn from the market. Currently, no medicine based on tetrazepam is yet marketed in France. Myolastan® has no strict equivalent. Indeed, the other benzodiazepines available have myorelaxant properties but are not indicated as muscle relaxants. The use of a benzodiazepine (eg Valium®) in the treatment of muscle contractures constitutes a misuse of its use.