Antispasmodics are a group of medications used to treat cramps or spasms that occur in the stomach, intestines and bladder. These drugs are generally grouped with anticholinergics because they have anticholinergic properties, which means that they inhibit or block the action of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body) at a receptor site. Anticholinergics are used in some inhaled forms to treat allergies and asthma because they improve breathing by relaxing or dilating tissue in the bronchial tubes, which lead to the lungs.

Antispasmodics are used for certain digestive conditions. For example, they are often a first-line treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because they offer a safe, cost-effective method of relieving abdominal pain and diarrhea by preventing or slowing contractions in the bowel. Patients with urinary incontinence (inability to control urine flow) may also find that antispasmodics relax the bladder muscle and relieve spasms.

In some cases, antispasmodics may be used with another drug as a means of therapy. For example, antispasmodics may be used in conjunction with antacids to treat peptic ulcers. Antispasmodics may also be used to help prevent nausea and vomiting and motion sickness.

Antispasmodics may also be used for:

• Surgery. Antispasmodics may be given before surgery to relax the patient’s gastrointestinal tract and to decrease secretions such as saliva. They may also be used to maintain a normal heartbeat during surgery, and to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery.
  
  
• Examinations. Antispasmodics may be used to relax the stomach and intestines before certain types of examinations.
  
  
• Other conditions. Antispasmodics may be used to treat conditions such as cerebral palsy (characterized by congenital brain damage and developmental problems),  poisoning, painful menstruation and runny nose. They may also be used to help prevent involuntary urination during sleep.

Antispasmodics are available in pill, tablet, capsule, syrup, injection and suppository form.