Even so, these prescription drugs are effective and reliable options for short-term pain relief. Muscle relaxers that are antispastics generally do not treat acute muscle pain. They are more often prescribed for muscle pain due to a medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury.

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine like Xanax that decreases the sensitivity of certain brain receptors. Off-label prescribing is when a drug is prescribed for an indication that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration FDA.

Neck pain may feel sharp and sudden, and it may be hard to move your neck around. Back pain, depending on the cause, can feel like a dull, achy pain, or a sharp, shooting pain. Back pain can greatly affect mobility, making it difficult to get around.

Back pain often extends into the legs or even arms, causing muscle weakness. The medicines listed below are the medications that you can find while perusing the aisles at your local pharmacy or convenience store. According to Dr.

If you roll your ankle at the gym or wake up with back pain, try one of these before asking your doctor for a prescription. Note: You should avoid alcohol while taking any of the medications on the list below. Also, NSAIDs should be taken with food to reduce stomach side effects.

Related: List of NSAIDs. Maybe a new workout routine put you through the wringer, or slouching over your laptop has started to take its toll on your back and neck. Minor soreness or aches happen all the time for any number of reasons, and they might not be severe or chronic enough to warrant muscle relaxers or other pain relievers.

The good news is that there are plenty of natural remedies and dietary solutions to help mild body pain. Even better is that you can find most of these treatments in food and supplements.

Lewis considers certain natural remedies ideal for stress management or to supplement other treatments. CBD oil cannabidiol has been a popular but widely-debated natural supplement. Many swear by it for a broad scope of conditions, but research is currently ongoing as to what else it can do.

The Food and Drug Administration FDA has only approved one CBD prescription drug, Epidiolex, which may be prescribed to treat two rare forms of epilepsy.

Lewis said. Or, you may have heard of arnica gel, made from an herb native to central Europe. Want to go the natural route? These natural muscle relaxants are not FDA-proven treatments but may support or promote certain conditions:.

As always, consult your healthcare provider for professional medical advice before taking a new medication. Even natural treatments can cause serious drug-drug interactions. Although each muscle relaxer has a unique list of side effects, there are some common side effects that most muscle relaxers share.

Many side effects are due to the sedative effect of muscle relaxers. Common side effects of muscle relaxers include:. Serious side effects may occur. Before taking a muscle relaxer, discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider.

Always be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medications you take, including prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements. While serious side effects vary by drug, any drug can cause a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If these symptoms occur, get emergency medical help right away. Before taking a muscle relaxer, tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Although each muscle relaxant may have some unique drug interactions, there are some common drug interactions to be aware of.

A doctor may prescribe antispastics for conditions that cause muscle spasms, such as multiple sclerosis MS or cerebral palsy. Some side effects vary between different antispastics but generally include muscle weakness and drowsiness.

For example, the most common side effects of baclofen include :. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication that does not primarily treat muscle pain but may help relieve pain or spasms. These treatments can include:.

The Food and Drug Administration FDA approves the use of benzodiazepines for:. However, a doctor may prescribe them off-label to help with muscle pain.

These medications do not relieve pain but may help alleviate muscle spasms if a person takes them for a short period. They work by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA , which is a neurotransmitter that can have sedative properties.

Common side effects of benzodiazepine can include drowsiness, confusion, and breathing difficulties. These drugs can also be habit-forming. This medication is an anticonvulsant, and doctors usually prescribe it to treat seizures, relieve nerve pain, and treat restless leg syndrome.

It works by changing electrical activity in the brain and influencing neurotransmitters, which can alter how the body senses pain. Common side effects of gabapentin may include dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. NSAIDs are drugs that help treat or relieve pain by reducing inflammation.

These medications slow the formation of prostaglandins , which the body produces after injury or illness. They also block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase COX , which helps to create prostaglandins.

Also known as paracetamol, this medication can treat mild to moderate pain and fever. It is both an analgesic, or pain reliever, and an antipyretic, or fever reducer. Similar to NSAIDs, acetaminophen also works by inhibiting the COX pathway. If a person uses acetaminophen too often or for too long, they are at risk of serious liver damage.

The medication may also result in skin reactions, such as :. Natural options may help to alleviate muscle pain. However, more research is necessary to determine their efficacy.

Some natural options may include:. Learn about shopping for CBD products here. Muscle pain that does not go away or becomes severe could signify an underlying condition that requires medical treatment.

If a person has a prescription that is ineffective for pain relief, they should discuss this with a doctor. If nonprescription options are not helping to reduce symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical assistance.

A healthcare professional can diagnose the underlying cause and suggest treatment options. Muscle pains are usually not a cause for concern and typically resolve on their own.

However, severe or prolonged pain may indicate an underlying illness. A person can treat their pain with medication in the short term. A doctor may prescribe medications, including muscle relaxants or off-label options.

A doctor may also recommend the use of OTC options, such as NSAIDs. All these medications carry the risk of side effects, and some can be habit-forming. A person should not take pain-relieving medication for long periods and should seek medical attention if the pain is recurring or severe.

Oblique muscle pain is typically a sign of injury to the oblique, or side, muscles. Learn more here. Muscle pain following spinal fusion surgery is typical. This is generally due to the way the surgery is performed.

Various types of musculoskeletal pain can affect the muscles, bones, joints, and surrounding tissue. It can be mild or intense and can occur because….

What is the sartorius muscle and why might a person experience pain from it? Read on to learn more, including helpful exercises. Doctors may palpate the abdomen when doing an abdominal physical examination. Palpation can check organs, and feel for lumps, masses, or tenderness.

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The different medications belong to one of two categories: antispastics drugs that treat spasticity and antispasmodics drugs that treat localized muscle spasms.

We initially prescribe a low dose and then gradually increase it if needed to ease your pain. The best way to take your medication depends on the specific drug we prescribe.

Most muscle relaxants come in the form of a tablet or capsule, though a few are injected. You typically take oral muscle relaxants times daily. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, and headaches. They may also affect your ability to think or cause confusion.

Never drink alcohol while taking muscle relaxants. You can become addicted to some muscle relaxants. The risk of dependency increases the longer you use them, which is why we only prescribe them for a short time. This information is not comprehensive, but it gives you general information about the many aspects of muscle relaxants.

If you have questions about effective pain management or need to schedule an appointment for muscle-related back or neck pain, call Edward Carden, MD, or book an appointment online today. Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

When and How Are Muscle Relaxants Used in Alleviating Neck or Back Pain. Edward Carden, MD Blog When and How Are Muscle Relaxants Used in Alleviating Neck or Back Pain. You Might Also Enjoy Are you worried that you might need surgery for chronic back pain?

A doctor might prescribe medications, such as muscle relaxers , for people with pain and spasms in their muscles.

These groups of drugs refer to medications that help alleviate muscle pain and tightness by reducing muscle contraction. A study adds that the use of muscle relaxants is increasing. While these medications are beneficial for short-term use, they may not be appropriate for everyone.

Evidence also notes they can have adverse effects, and it is not advisable to use them long term. An older source notes that muscle relaxers are available in two classes : antispasmodics and antispastics.

Antispasmodics decrease muscle spasms by altering conduction in the central nervous system. There are two types of antispasmodics: benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain, while nonbenzodiazepines act on the spinal cord and brain. Potential side effects of antispasmodics typically involve drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches.

For example, possible side effects of cyclobenzaprine can include :. People who take drugs that affect serotonin should not take antispasmodics, as they may be at risk of serotonin syndrome. Some muscle relaxers can also be addictive, and it is advisable for people to only use them short term.

These medications act on the muscle cells and spinal cord to improve muscle tightness and relieve spasms. They work by inhibiting the transmission of neurons in the brain. A doctor may prescribe antispastics for conditions that cause muscle spasms, such as multiple sclerosis MS or cerebral palsy.

Some side effects vary between different antispastics but generally include muscle weakness and drowsiness. For example, the most common side effects of baclofen include :. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication that does not primarily treat muscle pain but may help relieve pain or spasms.

These treatments can include:. The Food and Drug Administration FDA approves the use of benzodiazepines for:. However, a doctor may prescribe them off-label to help with muscle pain. These medications do not relieve pain but may help alleviate muscle spasms if a person takes them for a short period.

They work by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA , which is a neurotransmitter that can have sedative properties. Common side effects of benzodiazepine can include drowsiness, confusion, and breathing difficulties.

These drugs can also be habit-forming. This medication is an anticonvulsant, and doctors usually prescribe it to treat seizures, relieve nerve pain, and treat restless leg syndrome.

It works by changing electrical activity in the brain and influencing neurotransmitters, which can alter how the body senses pain. Common side effects of gabapentin may include dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. NSAIDs are drugs that help treat or relieve pain by reducing inflammation.

These medications slow the formation of prostaglandins , which the body produces after injury or illness. They also block an enzyme called cyclooxygenase COX , which helps to create prostaglandins.

Damage to muscle tissue from an injury or strain , such as lifting a heavy object or twisting in an awkward position, can cause muscle spasms as a natural form of protection. The body responds to the injury by sending signals to contract the muscles in order to prevent movement or additional stress.

Physiology, Muscle Contraction. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island FL : StatPearls Publishing; Jan-. Muscle relaxers with antispasmodic activity, such as carisoprodol and tizanidine, are typically prescribed in such cases. Comparative efficacy and safety of skeletal muscle relaxants for spasticity and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review.

J Pain Symptom Manage. Taking rest and using non-drug therapies, such as massage therapy or heat therapy , are generally recommended in addition to taking muscle relaxers for enhanced healing and long-term improvement. Antispasmodic muscle relaxers provide relief from severe sciatica pain.

Treasure Island FL : StatPearls Publishing; Jan. Muscle relaxers with antispasmodic effects provide relief from severe pain or disability in such cases. However, these medications do not address the underlying cause of nerve compression, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis , and only mask the symptoms.

Muscle contraction tightening and relaxation are regulated by the spinal cord, and injury or damage to the spinal cord causes muscle spasticity prolonged muscle tightening. Similarly, the spinal cord is a major component of the nervous system, and certain neurological disorders eg, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke cause spasticity to develop.

Muscle relaxers with antispastic effects, such as baclofen and dantrolene, reduce spasticity and improve functioning for people with these conditions.

Intrathecal and Oral Baclofen Use in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review of Efficacy in Spasticity Reduction, Functional Changes, Dosing, and Adverse Events. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.

Certain muscle relaxers are used to address sleep difficulties caused by back or neck pain. Efficacy and Safety of Sublingual Cyclobenzaprine for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial [published online ahead of print, May 11].

Arthritis Care Res Hoboken. While muscle relaxers serve as an effective method for addressing back and neck pain, numerous alternative strategies exist to manage pain and disability without the need for a prescription. These non-prescription approaches encompass a wide range of options, including medication, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.