CHAPTER 5 Nervous System^239
- Administer corticosteroids:
- methylprednisolone intravenously
- prednisone 60 to 80 mg daily the first week, then tapered over the next
couple of weeks - dexamethasone
- Administer one of the following for muscle relaxation:
- dantrolene
- baclofen
- carisoprodol
- metaxalone
- tizanidine
- diazepam
- Use of the following medications may help with fatigue symptoms:
- modafinil
- methylphenidate
- Administer antidepressants if indicated:
- fluoxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor—SSRI)
- sertraline (SSRI)
- paroxetine (SSRI)
- citalopram (SSRI)
- escitalopram (SSRI)
- venlafaxine (inhibits norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine reuptake)
- bupropion (inhibits norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake)
- duloxetine (inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake)
- amitriptyline (tricyclic) may help with discomfort associated with pares-
thesia
- Administer medications to help with altered bladder function:
- oxybutynin
- hyoscyamine sulfate
- darifenacin
- solifenacin
- tolterodine
- Remove antibodies by removing plasma (plasmapheresis).