Effect of dantrolene sodium on canine bladder contractility

Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is currently used in the treatment of detrusorstriated sphincter dyssynergia and is thought to act primarily on striated muscle. The effect of this agent on smooth muscle in general is controversial, and its effect on urinary bladder smooth muscle in particular is not known. In an in vitro muscle bath system, dantrolene was found to have no statistically significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholine-induced canine detrusor muscle contractions.