Updated on February 3, 2023
7 min read

Muscle Relaxers/Relaxants

What is a Muscle Relaxer (Relaxant)?

Muscle spasms or cramps are quick, unexpected muscle contractions. On the other hand, muscle spasticity is a continuous spasm that causes muscle stiffness or tightness.

Muscle relaxers or relaxants are medications used to treat spasms and spasticity. They decrease the body’s muscle tone. Muscle tone refers to the muscle’s resistance to stretch in a relaxed state.

The most common type of cramp is a skeletal muscle spasm. These spasms are usually abrupt, painful, and short-lived.

girl on a hammock thinking about things
Sponsored

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

  • Professional and effective
  • Affordable and convenient
  • Personalized and discreet
  • Easy to start
Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

Woman drinking coffee on couch

What Causes Muscle Spasms?

Most muscle spasms are idiopathic, meaning their causes are unknown. The following are often associated with muscle spasms:

  • Not stretching enough, including before exercise
  • Muscle overuse
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Exercising in the heat
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte depletion, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium
  • Involuntary nerve discharges
  • Decrease in blood supply
  • Stress

What Conditions Cause Muscle Spasms?

Conditions often associated with, not a cause of, muscle spasms include:

  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Anemia (low red blood cell count)
  • Kidney disease
  • Hormone issues (thyroid disorders)

What Causes Muscle Spasticity?

Muscle spasms often originate from damage to an area of the brain or spinal cord that regulates voluntary movement. Conditions that lead to muscle spasticity include:

  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Brain damage
  • Stroke
  • Encephalitis
  • Meningitis
  • Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS)
  • Phenylketonuria

Side Effects of Muscle Spasticity

Muscle spasticity has adverse effects on the joints and extremities, especially in growing children. It can also interfere with everyday activities such as walking, talking, or bending.

Symptoms range from:

  • Mild movement limitations
  • Inability to move affected areas
  • Severe pain during movement

Millions of Americans currently use muscle relaxants. Middle-aged adults are the most frequent users.

NHANES III

Get Professional Help

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

Rehab Together

What Do Muscle Relaxers Do?

Muscle relaxants can help relieve pain and other symptoms caused by muscle spasms and spasticity. Muscle relaxers work at many levels. The most common ones exert their effects on the brain and skeletal muscles.

There are two categories of muscle relaxants:

  • Antispasmodics: Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs), used with rest and physical therapy to relieve muscle spasms
  • Antispastics: Used to treat muscle spasticity and shouldn’t be used to treat spasms

Doctors believe muscle spasticity is caused by your nerves sending an excessive amount of signals to your brain. Muscle relaxants reduce the signals sent between your nerves and your brain. This creates a sedative effect.

Uses of Muscle Relaxants

Muscle relaxants treat certain disorders that produce muscle spasms or spasticity. They can also treat acute and, in some cases, chronic pain.

Acute pain is sudden and lasts for a short time. Chronic pain, however can last up to 6 months or longer.

Other uses for muscle relaxants include treating restless leg syndrome and sore muscles.

Muscle Relaxers for Neck & Back Pain

Back pain is the number one ailment requiring a muscle relaxant prescription. Tense or spasming muscles can cause or are caused by:

  • Neck pain
  • Upper back pain
  • Lower back pain

Doctors always prescribe muscle relaxants in conjunction with rest and physical therapy. They may use muscle relaxants to reduce pain associated with muscle spasms.

Although muscle relaxers work no better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in pain relief, doctors still prescribe them. This is due to their added sedative befits, which can often help you rest.

Treating Other Disorders

Muscle relaxants may be used to treat a variety of other conditions, including:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Motor neurone disease (MND)
  • Head or spinal cord injuries
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support

BetterHelp provides therapy in a way that works for YOU. Fill out the questionnaire, get matched, begin therapy.

Get Started

Answer a few questions to get started

Woman drinking coffee on couch

Treatment Types for Muscle Spasms and Spasticity

Many classes of medications help with muscle spasms and spasticity. They can include NSAIDs, natural methods, and muscle relaxants.

The following is an overview of the most common medications that relieve muscle spasms:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments

OTC medications are typically prescribed first by a doctor. The following are classified as NSAIDs and include:

Generic nameBrand nameFormUsed to treat
AcetaminophenTylenol, ParacetamolTablet, Capsule, Liquid, Injection, SuppositoryMinor aches and pains, Fever
IbuprofenAdvil, MotrinTablet, Capsule, Liquid, InjectionPain, Inflammation, Fever 
NaproxenAleveTablet, Liquid, SuppositoryAcute pain, Inflammation

Prescription Muscle Relaxants

Along with rest and physical therapy, doctors will prescribe prescription muscle relaxants when pain is more severe. It can also be used if the person does not tolerate OTC medications due to side effects.

Antispasmodic prescription muscle relaxants, or centrally acting SMRs, include:

Generic nameBrand nameFormUsed to treat
CarisoprodolSomaTabletSkeletal muscle
pain or injury
ChlorzoxazoneParafon Forte,
Lorzone
TabletMuscle spasms,
muscle pain,
musculoskeletal
conditions
CyclobenzaprineFexmid, Flexeril,
Amrix
Tablet,
Extended-release
capsule
Skeletal muscle
pain or injury
MetaxaloneSkelaxin,
Metaxall
TabletSkeletal muscle
pain or injury
MethocarbamolRobaxinTabletSkeletal muscle
pain or injury
OrphenadrineNorflexExtended-release
tablet
Skeletal muscle pain or
injury, Parkinson’s Disease
TizanidineZanaflexTablet, CapsuleMultiple Sclerosis, Spinal
cord injury

Antispastic Prescription Muscle Relaxers

Some types of antispastic prescription muscle relaxers include:

Generic nameBrand nameFormUsed to treat
BaclofenLioresal, GablofenTablet, InjectionMultiple Sclerosis
DantroleneDantriumTabletMultiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy,
Strokes, Spinal cord injury
DiazepamValiumOral suspension, Tablet,
Injection
Inflammation, Muscle trauma,
Muscle spasticity

Off-Label Medications for Spasticity

Doctors can prescribe certain medications for certain conditions, even when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the drugs for that purpose. This is called off-label drug use.

Some off-label medications are not technically muscle relaxants but may be prescribed to relieve symptoms of spasticity, including:

Generic nameBrand nameFormUsed to treat
ClonazepamKlonopinTabletSeizures, Anxiety,
Muscle spasms
LorazepamAtivanTablet, LiquidAnxiety, IBS,
Substance withdrawal
AlprazolamXanaxTablet, LiquidAnxiety, Panic attacks,
Muscle spasms
ClonidineKapvay, Catapres,
Jenloga
TabletHigh blood pressure, ADHD,
Muscle Spasms, Spasticity
GabapentinNeurontin, Gralise, HorizantTablet, LiquidSeizures, Nerve pain,
Restless leg syndrome

All-Natural Muscle Relaxers

The FDA does not approve natural and holistic medicines. However, many people believe they are effective in pain relief.

There is little to no scientific evidence to support these claims, but they may be useful for some people:

Generic nameBrand nameFormUsed to treat
Cannabidiol (CBD)-Tinctures and oil,
Topical, Capsule
Pain, Dystonia,
Insomnia
Cherries and blueberries-Fruit, JuiceMuscle pain, Inflammation
Cayenne pepper-Food, Capsule,
Topical
Fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chamomile-Tea, Oil Muscle spasms,
Sore muscles

Common Side Effects of Muscle Relaxers

Muscle relaxants and prescription drugs come with several possible side effects. They will vary depending on the type of drug. The most common muscle relaxant side effects include:

  • Tiredness and drowsiness
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Agitation
  • Light-headedness
  • Headaches
  • Forgetfulness
  • Muscle weakness (side effect of Diazepam)
  • Confusion
  • Shakiness
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Blurred Vision
  • Appetite Changes
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth

Do not use muscle relaxants with alcohol, central nervous system (CNS) depressants (opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates), or sleeping medications. Serious side effects, including death, may occur.

If you suddenly stop using muscle relaxers after long-term use, it can result in withdrawal symptoms. This includes hallucinations and seizures. Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first.

Muscle Relaxant Abuse and Addiction

People can safely use muscle relaxants for short-term treatments, specifically for 2 to 3 weeks. Long-term use safety is not yet confirmed. Further, muscle relaxants are not FDA-approved for long-term use because they are habit-forming.

If they are used for longer, a person will be at risk of misuse and abuse. Soma and Flexeril, the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxants, can lead to tolerance and dependence with prolonged use.

Muscle relaxants often get abused for their euphoric and dissociative effects. One in twenty people in the U.S. aged 12 and up have reported using muscle relaxants recreationally. This can lead to addiction or overdose.

Symptoms of Muscle Relaxant Overdose

Muscle relaxant overdose symptoms include:

  • Stupor
  • Hallucinations
  • Shock
  • Seizures
  • Hyperventilation
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Coma
  • Death

Aside from their direct effects, muscle relaxants can depress your CNS. This makes it hard to pay attention or stay awake.

People who take muscle relaxants should avoid activities that require mental alertness or coordination. These include driving and using heavy machinery. Both can make injuries more likely.

Nearly 15,000 people die each year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers.

Muscle Relaxer Addiction Treatment

There are several treatment options for people suffering from muscle relaxant addiction.

The most commonly used treatment methods include:

If you or someone you know suffers from a muscle relaxant addiction, reach out to a healthcare professional to review your treatment options.

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

betterhelp-logo
Updated on February 3, 2023
5 sources cited
Updated on February 3, 2023
  1. Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Nov. 2011, www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/painkilleroverdoses/index.html.
  2. Dillon, Charles & Paulose-Ram, Ryne & Hirsch, Rosemarie & Gu, Qiuping. . Skeletal muscle relaxant use in the United States - Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Spine. 29. 892-6. 10.1097/00007632-200404150-00014., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15082991/
  3. Witenko, Corey et al. “Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low back pain.” P & T : a Peer-reviewed Journal for Formulary Management vol. 39,6 : 427-35., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103716/
  4. Patel, Himanshu D et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Combination of NSAIDs and Muscle Relaxants in the Management of Acute Low Back Pain.” Pain and Therapy vol. 8,1 : 121-132. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0112-6, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30652262/
  5. Richards BL, Whittle SL, Buchbinder R. Muscle relaxants for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD008922. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008922.pub2., https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221760679_Muscle_relaxants_for_pain_management_in_rheumatoid_arthritis

Related Pages

e
7 Types of Drugs Explained (+ Examples)

Opioids

Are you looking to relax stiff muscles? Here are some of the best muscle relaxers on the market. They range in price and effectiveness,...

7 Types of Drugs Explained (+ Examples)

Prescription Medications

Are you looking to relax stiff muscles? Here are some of the best muscle relaxers on the market. They range in price and effectiveness,...

Opioids

Morphine Risks, Effects & Addiction Treatment

Are you looking to relax stiff muscles? Here are some of the best muscle relaxers on the market. They range in price and effectiveness,...

Prescription Medications

Soma Effects, Risks, and Treatment

Are you looking to relax stiff muscles? Here are some of the best muscle relaxers on the market. They range in price and effectiveness,...

Opioids

What is Codeine?

Are you looking to relax stiff muscles? Here are some of the best muscle relaxers on the market. They range in price and effectiveness,...