Thiocolchicoside: A review

Thiocolchicoside is a commonly used muscle relaxant in the treatment of acute painful muscle spasms. It exhibits a selective affinity for the inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycinergic receptors, although, the exact mechanism for muscle relaxant property is not known. It has a proconvulsant action and hence should be avoided in patients predisposed to seizures. The recent drug warning from the European medicines agency regarding potential for aneuploidy limits the long term use of thiocolchicoside which was until now considered relatively safe. Aneuploidy is a common chromosome abnormality in humans, and is the leading genetic cause of miscarriage, congenital birth defects and reduced fertility in men. The drug is contraindicated in children less than 16 years of age, during pregnancy, breast feeding and patients should be carefully informed about the potential risk of a possible pregnancy and about effective contraception measures to be followed.