Comparing efficacy and tolerability of eperisone with thiocolchicoside in the management of non-specific low back pain

Abstract

Eperisone hydrochloride is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant acting which, through poly- and mono-synaptic reflexes in the spinal cord, exhibits vasodilator effect, increases blood flow, and inhibits the pain reflex pathway. [24] The previous studies found one or the other drugs superior due to unequal distribution of the underlying pathology which might have induced a lurking Berksonian bias in favor or against a group. [...]these contradictory outcomes necessitated the present study. Patients with a history of severe infection, trauma or major surgery, severe metabolic, endocrine or electrolyte disturbances, seizure during the preceding 8 weeks, severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and severe cardiac dysfunction were also not enrolled. Furthermore, those who had received an investigational new drug in the preceding 4 weeks or any form of muscle relaxants in the previous 7 days, with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the formulations understudy, pregnant and lactating females, women of child-bearing potential (not practicing adequate contraceptive measures), and patients unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures were excluded from the study.