Abuse of skeletal muscle relaxants

Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants are potential drugs of abuse. Although skeletal muscle relaxants are occasionally the primary drug of abuse, they are often used along with other central nervous system depressants, such as narcotics or alcohol. The major toxic effects are respiratory depression and coma. For the most part, the abuse problem is initiated and sustained iatrogenically. Physicians should be aware of the abuse potential of skeletal muscle relaxants.