Anti-Spasticity Medications Need Further Research

Only a few anti-spasticity medications used for children with cerebral palsy are backed by sufficient research to justify their use, according to a new review of scientific literature headed by a UT Southwestern Medical Center neurologist and conducted by a national panel of interdisciplinary experts nationwide.

The findings prompted the American Academy of Neurology to release a new practice guideline on effective treatments. Dr. Mauricio Delgado-Ayala, professor of neurology at UT Southwestern is lead author of the guideline, which appears in the Jan. 26 issue of the academy’s journal, Neurology.

Botulinum toxin type A, sold under the brand names Botox and Dysport, is effective and generally safe to relieve spasticity, the researchers found. The drugs diazepam (Valium) and tizanidine (Zanaflex, Sirdalud) can also be used, although they carry more risks.

The researchers found insufficient evidence on whether other commonly used drugs are effective or safe.

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