Muscle relaxant

Muscles relaxants typically work by blocking the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) at the neuromuscular junction[?].

Receptor blockers Substances that compete with ACh, for the receptors on a muscle cell can be either depolarising, or non-depolarising.

Depolarising muscles relaxants activate the muscle briefly, before blocking it.

• Succinylcholine

Non-depolarising relaxants block the ACh receptors without activating them.

• Curare
• Curare-based molecules, e.g. turbocuranine[?], pancuronium bromide.

Other mechanisms Botulinum toxin, marketed as Botox for facial wrinkle removal, works by stopping the release of ACh from the presynaptic neuron.

Central acting muscle relaxants

• Benzodiazepines

Acting on smooth muscle[?]

• Amyl nitrite