Overview
Muscle relaxers are medications that help relax the muscles, relieve pain, or treat spasms. Muscle spasms, pain, and discomfort in the muscles can arise from various conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord problems. The best over-the-counter medications include Tylenol, Advil, and naproxen. Topical gels are used for temporary, short-term pain relief, while prescription medications specifically for muscle spasms are available after consultation with a healthcare provider. Prescription medications like methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, tizanidine, and metaxalone are the best medication options prescribed and recommended by healthcare providers for muscle pain. The blog focuses on over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as their mode of action in the body, to treat muscle contractions, spasms, and other conditions.
What are muscle relaxers?
Muscle relaxers are medications that help relax stretched or spasmed muscles and improve their function to their maximum. Muscle relaxers are prescribed globally by healthcare providers and available over the counter for several medical conditions, like muscle spasms, muscle pain, and spasticity (stiffness of muscles). They are prescription medications only in the United States and are available only on prescription, but are available in Canada or around the globe. Two types of muscle relaxers work in two different ways. Medical consultation will help you get the correct diagnosis for your pain, along with the well-suited medication for that specific pain.
What do muscle relaxers do?
Muscle relaxers, also known as muscle relaxants, help relieve pain and ease the tension in tightened or stretched muscles. They are broadly classified into two different types:
- Antispasmodics
- Antispastics
They are classified according to the area of the body where they work.
Antispasmodics relieve pain in smooth muscle and smooth muscle cavities, such as the Urinary tract spasms and stomach cramps. Conditions like pain due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are treated with antispasmodics. The mechanisms of action of antispasmodics include reducing excessive contractions of smooth muscles.
Antispasmodics are medications that help relieve the pain in the skeletal muscles (muscles that help in movement). These medications address and ease the pain in the skeletal muscles, leading to continuous movement and stiffness.
What are good over-the-counter muscle relaxers?
Over-the-counter muscle relaxer medications are milder and less effective than prescription medications, giving instant yet temporary relief from muscle spasms and pain.
Some of the good over-the-counter muscle relaxers are as follows :
Ibuprofen (Advil)
It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication used to relieve fever and body pain. It gives instant relief and is the best over-the-counter option. It’s readily available over the counter and can be prescribed to you without getting a consultation. It provides quick relief for aches and pains, such as headaches, body aches, backaches, menstrual cramps, and sometimes minor arthritis.
The recommended dose for adults is 400 milligrams (mg) every 4 to 6 hours, and it should only be taken as prescribed. Some common side effects of ibuprofen are dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and restless sleep.
Naproxen
It is also an NSAID and is a good option for muscle pain and inflammation in any localized area of the body. It’s readily available over the counter and can work effectively for joint pain, muscle aches, stiffness, and arthritis pain.
Naproxen is often considered a safe option for managing gout attacks. The adult’s initial naproxen dose is 275 or 550 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Some common side effects of naproxen are confusion, ringing in the ears, and dizziness.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
It is an NSAID, an over-the-counter analgesic medication that can significantly help with muscle discomfort. It treats muscle spasms, joint pain, headaches, and other body aches.
The adult effective dose for acetaminophen is 500mg (can be two tablets) initially, and another dose after 3-4 hours. It’s essential not to take more than six tablets daily to avoid unwanted side effects.
Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
Mucinex is an expectorant taken over the counter for short-term back pain or muscle spasms.
Aspirin
It is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication used over the counter to relieve mild to moderate body pain.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
It is an NSAID, an over-the-counter analgesic medication that can significantly help with muscle discomfort.
Menthol and Capsaicin
Menthol and capsaicin are both ingredients available in topical gels and creams that help numb the area to which they are applied. It can provide instant relief by applying heat and numbing the stretched area.
Other oral OTC options
Magnesium, valerian root, or passion flower are natural ingredients with muscle-relief properties and are available as supplemental oral tablets to help relieve muscle pain.
Mostly, all over-the-counter options do not help with the underlying correct diagnosis or the correct treatment. It will only give instant and temporary relief for your muscle problem. Specifically, over-the-counter medications for muscle problems are not available worldwide, specifically in the United States, and you will need to consult an online doctor for an accurate diagnosis and prescription.
What are the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers?
Muscle relaxer medications are prescribed after the correct diagnosis of an underlying condition. For muscle spasms and pain, different medicines from the drug classes are prescribed, including :
Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
Methocarbamol, commonly sold under the brand name Robaxin, is a class of medications called “Musculoskeletal pain relief.” These medications work by stimulating the central nervous system, affecting the pain receptors in the muscles.
One of the most common side effects of methocarbamol is sleepiness and dizziness throughout the day, which is why it is also recommended to use it for the short term by healthcare providers.
The recommended dose is 500 to 750 mg four times daily (Adult dose) and can be adjusted or increased according to the severity of your medical condition.
It’s beneficial to get the consultation and prescription from the healthcare provider to get the well-suited dose as per your age for the muscle pain or spasms, says Dr. Richard Honaker, M.D
Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine belongs to the drug class of cyclical antidepressants but is widely prescribed as a muscle relaxant. It is usually available under two different brand names: Flexeril or Amrix. It is also a medication used to treat muscle spasms and pain associated with acute muscle conditions in the body.
Cyclobenzaprine works on the central nervous system to help relieve the stretched muscles that cause pain. Usually, the recommended dose for adults is 5 to 10 mg, which should only be taken three times a day.
Baclofen
Baclofen is also one of the most prescribed and recommended medications for adult muscle pain, spasms, and contractions. It’s a prescription medication recommended for pain due to conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord problems. Baclofen is available under various brand names, including Lioresal, Beklo, Baclodol, Flexibac, and Gablofen.
The usual recommended dose for baclofen in adults is 5 mg three times a day, taking into account the dose adjustment, as all muscle relaxant medications that stimulate the brain should be adjusted accordingly based on the patient’s underlying condition, weight, and age.
Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Tizanidine is a medication used to manage muscle spasticity. It is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist drug (works by blocking the nerve impulses). Tizanidine comes in the brand Zanaflex, which works by blocking the pain nerve impulses, causing relief in the muscle pain due to medical conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Healthcare providers recommend taking the initial dose of tizanidine as 2 mg every 6-8 hours, which gradually increases according to the patient’s condition and compliance. The maximum dose of tizanidine that an adult can take is 36 mg in a day, which should not be increased by any means.
Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
Metaxalone is also a prescription medication recommended by healthcare providers for musculoskeletal pain. The usual recommended dose for metaxalone is 800 mg ( taken three to four times a day). However, it’s not usually recommended due to its economic unfriendliness, and other prescription options are considered more budget-friendly.
What are the side effects of muscle relaxers?
Some of the common side effects observed by patients on muscle relaxants are :
- Drowsiness
- Sleep
- Staying drowsy
- Dry Mouth
- Upset Stomach
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Blurred Vision
- Urinary Retention
- Allergic Reactions
Due to the above-mentioned side effects, healthcare providers usually recommend short-term usage of these medications. Consulting a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and prescription for muscle spasms and contractions is beneficial.
What drugs interact with muscle relaxers?
Some medications interact with muscle relaxants and can cause problematic effects.
- Sedatives and Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: Combining these with muscle relaxants will increase the drowsiness effects.e.g., diazepam, hydrocodone
- Antihistamine: Combining antihistamine (anti-allergy) medications with muscle relaxants will also enhance drowsiness.eg, diphenhydramine or cetirizine
- Antidepressants: Combining these two might cause serotonin syndrome.
- Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin, can interact with muscle relaxants, potentially increasing drowsiness.
- Alcohol: It is beneficial to avoid alcohol consumption with muscle relaxants to avoid any CNS adverse effects in the body.
How do I get a prescription for muscle relaxers?
You can obtain prescription medication for muscle relaxation and pain relief by connecting with a virtual healthcare provider and receiving a consultation and prescription during your medical appointment.
It’s a crucial part of the treatment, as the healthcare provider will prescribe medication tailored to your condition, and the dose will be adjusted accordingly for optimal results.
FAQs about over-the-counter muscle relaxers
A person already on medications like antidepressants, anti-allergy, sedatives, or alcohol addicts should consult a healthcare provider and pharmacist before taking muscle relaxants to avoid any severe side effects on the CNS.
Painkillers like NSAIDs are only better for temporary localized relief, regardless of the underlying condition. At the same time, muscle relaxants will help you get the correct diagnosis of the underlying condition and treat it accordingly. If you are looking for instant pain relief, OTCs are often more effective, while muscle relaxants are better suited for the proper treatment of muscle pain.
Diazepam and tizanidine are considered the safest muscle relaxers for elderly people, especially those in the age group above 65 years.
NSAIDs like acetaminophen (Tylenol ) and Ibuprofen (Advil) are the best over-the-counter options for back pain. At the same time, opioids like oxycodone are the best prescription medication options for back pain relief.
Baclofen, tizanidine, methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine, and carisoprodol act directly on the muscles and are termed “centrally acting muscle relaxants.
Some of the most potent natural muscle relaxers are cherries and tart cherry juice, blueberries, protein and magnesium supplements, curcumin, pomegranate juice, and Arnica. Many other options must be considered for muscle-relaxing purposes and work effectively.
Among all the other muscle relaxers, Succinylcholine is considered the fastest and works effectively to treat muscle pain and spasms. It starts working within one minute and shows its rapid effects on muscles with quick recovery. It is widely considered the most effective and fastest muscle relaxer till now.
