Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs01:28

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics01:24

Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics

Cholinergic antagonists—such as antimuscarinics—are available in oral, topical, ocular, parenteral, and inhalational formulations. Most antimuscarinics are oral formulations,  while scopolamine is available as a topical patch, and ipratropium and tiotropium are available as inhalation aerosols or powders. Atropine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate are topically instilled in the eye. Most antimuscarinics are lipid-soluble and readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and the conjunctiva.
Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses01:26

Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses

Antimuscarinic drugs have various therapeutic applications by inhibiting parasympathetic stimulation in different systems. Here are the key therapeutic uses of antimuscarinics:    
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison01:09

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Eptinezumab in treatment-resistant chronic migraine: Four-year real-world effectiveness and treatment persistence.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2026
Same author

Health Care Utilization in Refractory Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Cross-Institutional Electronic Health Care Records Database.

Neurology. Clinical practice·2026
Same author

Metabolic Dysfunction and Metabolic Management in Episodic Migraine.

Current pain and headache reports·2026
Same author

Assessing Cognitive Function over Time in Patients with Refractory Chronic Migraine Who Received Ketamine Infusions: A Prospective, Observational Study.

CNS drugs·2025
Same author

International Headache society evidence-based guidelines on the use of non-invasive neuromodulation devices for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2025
Same author

Reaching international consensus on the definition of refractory migraine using the Delphi method.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2025
Same journal

Visual Impairment and Driving in Older Adults: A Narrative Review.

Current treatment options in neurology·2026
Same journal

Non-Cognitive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Their Likely Impact on Patient Outcomes. A Scoping Review.

Current treatment options in neurology·2026
Same journal

Update on the Treatment of Autonomic Disorders.

Current treatment options in neurology·2025
Same journal

Primary Progressive Aphasia Treatment: Current Treatment Options in Neurology Article Topic: Management of Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Current treatment options in neurology·2025
Same journal

Emerging Principles for Treating Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD).

Current treatment options in neurology·2025
Same journal

Diagnosis and Management of Progressive Corticobasal Syndrome.

Current treatment options in neurology·2025
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Triptans: where things stand.

Alan K Cole1, Michael J Marmura

  • 1Thomas Jefferson University, 111 South 11th Street, Suite 8130, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|September 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Triptans, selective serotonin receptor agonists, are effective migraine treatments. This review covers their development, success factors, and limitations in managing acute migraine attacks.

More Related Videos

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Triptans, selective serotonin receptor agonists, revolutionized acute migraine treatment.
  • They are now first-line therapy for most migraine patients, with or without aura.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development of triptans.
  • To discuss factors influencing their clinical success or failure.
  • To examine limitations and controversies associated with triptan use.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of triptan development and clinical application.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to treatment efficacy and adverse events.
  • Discussion of current controversies and future directions.

Main Results:

  • Triptans represent a significant advancement in acute migraine management.
  • Their efficacy is well-established, but patient response can vary.
  • Limitations include contraindications and potential side effects.

Conclusions:

  • Triptans remain a cornerstone therapy for acute migraine.
  • Understanding their development, efficacy, and limitations is crucial for optimal patient care.
  • Ongoing research addresses remaining challenges in migraine treatment.