While muscle relaxants may provide short-term relief of acute lower back pain and muscle spasms, these medications can cause adverse side effects. Some muscle relaxers can also be addictive. For these reasons, a person should limit their use as much as possible.
When used safely and according to doctor's orders, they can be very beneficial. Since muscle spasms are typically healed within two to three weeks, a doctor typically will only prescribe a muscle relaxant for acute rather than chronic pain. They are usually not intended for prolonged use.
Muscle relaxers are prescription medications that can help treat muscle-related symptoms, like spasticity and spasms. There are several types of muscle relaxers, and they work in different ways. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of these medications.
The truth is, they don't have anything to do with muscle tissue. They work on the central nervous system and cause general sedation. With that in mind, if you're having problems with muscle spasms and your doctor has prescribed these pills, there are a few things you should know.
The problem with muscle relaxants — and it's a big problem — is this: Although the drugs are effective and have been in use for decades, most of them work through the central nervous system, causing general sedation and not by targeting muscle tissue.
Serious side effects associated with their use include dizziness, falls, fractures, car accidents, dependence and overdose. Muscle relaxants pose a significant risk to people over 65, and the American Geriatrics Society advises against their use in this age group.
Metaxalone
Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects. It's also the least likely of the muscle relaxants to make you sleepy. It may work better for chronic lower back pain that is flaring up, rather than for pain that is new.
There are several types of muscle relaxing medications that treat pain conditions; however, the five most commonly prescribed include baclofen, chlorzoxazone, diazepam, metaxalone and tizanidine.
In general, muscle relaxers act as central nervous system depressants and cause a sedative effect or prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. The onset of action is rapid and effects typically last from 4-6 hours.
Official answer. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) is a fast-acting medicine and you should start to feel some muscle relaxant effects within 30 minutes to one hour. The drowsy side effect will set in quickly, too, so be sure you are not driving or doing other hazardous activities.
Recommendations generally limit the use of these drugs to a maximum of three weeks, since they have not been shown to work for muscle spasms beyond that duration, and they can cause serious side effects including falls, fractures, vehicle crashes, abuse, dependence, and overdose.
There is some evidence in medical literature of effectiveness of muscle relaxers when used for acute back or neck pain on a short-term basis (up to 2 or 3 weeks). They can promote recovery by blocking the feeling of pain, so people can get the rest they need to heal.
Muscle relaxers are sometimes prescribed to relieve muscle-related pain symptoms and to facilitate better sleep when taken at night. "Some muscle relaxants can also be beneficial in certain headache conditions or even neurological pain," says Gharibo. And their benefits have been well studied.
If you've ever had a back or neck muscle spasm, you know they can hurt, a lot. But taking muscle relaxants, especially every day, isn't a good idea, according to our experts at Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.
Adults and children 15 years of age and older—10 milligrams (mg) 3 times a day. The largest amount should be no more than 60 mg (six 10-mg tablets) a day. Children younger than 15 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Is there an over-the-counter muscle relaxer? No muscle relaxers are available over the counter in the U.S., but some OTC medications can have muscle-relaxing effects. These include guaifenesin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep. They are also used as a muscle relaxant, to induce sedation for surgery and other medical procedures, and in the treatment of seizures and alcohol withdrawal.
Side effects of muscle relaxers include: Sleepiness or grogginess. Fatigue. Dry mouth.
Suxamethonium (succinylcholine)
At a dose of 1 to 1.5 mg/kg, suxamethonium causes extremely rapid muscular paralysis, and optimal intubating conditions are obtained within 30 to 60 seconds.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help the pain caused by nerve inflammation. Over-the-counter muscle relaxers can also provide a certain degree of relief as well. For severe pain your Chicago pain management doctor may prescribe opiates, neuropathic medicines like Lyrica or stronger muscle relaxers.
Although useful for patients with pain conditions, it is important to understand that one can go for this combination as Aleve does not have any muscle relaxers interactions.
There are various natural ways to help relax muscles. These include cherries, protein, and magnesium, among others. There are many possible causes of muscle tightness, pain, and reduced range of motion, including: exercise, especially unfamiliar exercise.
Myotonia occurs when your muscles aren't able to relax after they contract. Genetic changes usually cause myotonia, which can appear at birth or any age. Symptoms vary depending on the type of myotonia. You can manage symptoms with lifestyle changes, medications, supportive devices and physical therapy.
Peppermint essential oil is an excellent natural painkiller and muscle relaxant. It's especially helpful in soothing sore muscles, an aching back and melting away a tension headache. Studies show that peppermint oil applied topically has pain-relief benefits associated with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.