Pridinol

How it works

It relieves muscle spasm through antimuscarinic activity and central effects that reduce excessive muscle tone, rather than acting on a specific neuromuscular target.

Prescribing in practice

• Its anticholinergic action makes it unsuitable in conditions such as narrow-angle glaucoma, significant urinary retention, and certain gastrointestinal obstructive disorders, where it is contraindicated.
• It can cause drowsiness and impair driving and skilled-task performance, with additive sedation alongside alcohol and other CNS depressants.
• Caution is needed in older patients and those sensitive to anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.

Monitoring

Monitor for anticholinergic adverse effects and excessive sedation, particularly in older or susceptible patients.

Counselling the patient

• This medicine may make you drowsy; do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Avoid alcohol, which can increase drowsiness.
• Tell your clinician about dry mouth, difficulty passing urine, or eye problems.

Evidence & guidelines

Pridinol is used as a skeletal muscle relaxant for painful muscle spasm based on established clinical use; consult current prescribing references for indication-specific guidance.