The effect of dantrolene sodium on spasticity in multiple sclerosis

For many patients with multiple sclerosis, spasticity is a major deterrent to useful motor function. Dantrolene sodium (Dantriuni @ ) is a muscle relaxant that acts primarily beyond the myoneural junction. Recent studies i n dicate that i t uncouples excitation-contraction mechanisms in skeletal niuscle.'.' Clinical studies to date have shown that the drug is effective in patients with severe spasticity resulting from various neurologic disorders."-s In order to test its efficacy in reducing spasticity without affecting functional abilities of patients with multiple sclerosis, a doubleblind, crossover trial of dantrolene sodium was carried o u t in a series of such patients.