You will wonder why should we consider using muscle relaxers. Muscle relaxers are often used to treat muscle spasms, pain, and discomfort caused by medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and spinal cord injuries. They can also be used to treat muscle injuries caused by exercise or overuse. Muscle relaxers can help reduce pain and improve muscle function by relaxing tight and overworked muscles.
To determine the best muscle relaxer medication, it is important to ascertain the effectiveness of the medicine. Therefore, we have brought you 15 prescribed medications that you can use as muscle relaxers.
Why Do We Need Muscle Relaxers?
Every day we do multiple activities that can cause strain on our muscles. Activities from regular cardio to over-excited party dance, any of the activities that we do can result in muscle spasms. In cases of acute illness, muscle relaxers are needed to overcome the stiffness of the body which is caused due to overdose of heavy medications. For example, if a person undergoes surgery, he or she is administered anesthesia.
Anesthesia can cause our muscles to contradict as a side effect. To relax our bodies, we need to intake a muscle relaxer tablet.
Another reason to use a muscle relaxer is when we overdo physical activities. Our lifestyle and daily schedule are packed with multiple tasks. Some tasks put a physical strain on our body which we don’t realize until we experience the breakdown pain. Therefore, muscle relaxers are a necessity to keep our physical pains away.
It Is Important To Take A Muscle Relaxer?
You may also wonder that are there any alternatives to muscle relaxers. There are some natural healing techniques like yoga, stretching exercises, massage, and breathing exercises. But all these activities can help you only for a short duration. If you are facing chronic physical pain due to muscle break, then it becomes necessary for you to take muscle relaxers and the prescribed medication.
How Often Should You Take Muscle Relaxers?
The intake of muscle relaxers depends upon the requirements of an individual. You can continue taking its daily dose until your pain goes away. In some cases where a patient is old, doctors prescribed muscle relaxers daily. On the other hand, if a patient has woken up after undergoing surgery, the muscle relaxers prescribed by the doctor last up to a week. Although, it is suggested that you intake the muscle relaxers only when prescribed by an expert or a doctor.
How Do Muscle Relaxers Work?
They work by blocking nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord to reduce muscle contractions. That means that they affect our nervous system. They release components into our body that can temporarily block our nervous system preventing the transition of information from our brain to the rest of our body.
This temporary stoppage then allows the muscle relaxers to play their second role and that is to reduce the muscle contractions. Muscle relaxers relax your muscles and the nervous system both. It creates an effect of slight dizziness. Some common side effect of muscle relaxers is a headache.
You should intake only the prescribed amount of muscle relaxers. Overdose of muscle relaxers can lead to other chronic problems than can be very injurious to your overall health and body. You can develop other problems that can be life-threatening for you.
Also, you must remember that all muscle relaxers are a type of drug. These can have side effects of their own. These side effects can be due to various reasons. For example. The content and the ingredients of the muscle relaxer drug.
Another reason for the side effects could be an overdose of muscle relaxer drugs. Therefore, you must emphasize the fact that you should prevent overdosing on muscle relaxers.
What Are Some Common Side Effects Of Muscle Relaxers?
Common side effects of muscle relaxers include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and blurred vision. Long-term use of muscle relaxers can lead to a higher risk of addiction, as well as an increased risk of falls, fractures, and other serious side effects. Other rare but serious side effects include low blood pressure, liver problems, and seizures.
Muscle relaxers can sometimes work like an addictive drug. Addiction can be harmful to our physical and mental health, relationships, finances, and more. It can lead to physical health problems due to the drug may cause substance-induced mental health issues.
It can also lead to financial problems, strain relationships, and cause legal issues. Additionally, addiction can lead to dangerous behaviors such as driving while under the influence or engaging in risky sexual activities.
Top 15 Prescription Medications: Muscle Relaxers
Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. It works by blocking nerve impulses that cause spasms, allowing the muscles to relax. You can consume Baclofen in whatever way is suitable to you as it is available in tablet, oral solution, and intrathecal injection form. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.
Benefits of using baclofen include improved mobility and function, improved quality of life, relief from spasms and pain, and improved sleep. The active ingredients in Baclofen are baclofen and cyclobenzaprine. These two ingredients work together to relax the muscles, relieve spasms, and reduce pain.
Carisoprodol
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. It works by helping to relax the muscles and relieve pain. It is typically used to treat pain, stiffness, and discomfort caused by muscle injuries, sprains, and strains. It works by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain, resulting in the relief of muscle pain, spasms, and stiffness. It is usually taken in tablet form, but can also be taken in liquid form.
Benefits of carisoprodol include:
- Relief of muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain
- Improved mobility and flexibility
- Reduced risk of injury
- Reduced inflammation
- Relief of muscle tension
- Improved circulation
- Improved range of motion
- Decreased pain
- Increased relaxation
Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant used to treat skeletal muscle spasms. It is commonly prescribed to treat musculoskeletal pain, such as due to strain or sprain. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain.
It is used to help relax certain muscles in your body and relieve the discomfort caused by acute (short-term), painful muscle or bone conditions. It may also be used in combination with rest and physical therapy to treat muscle spasms and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
The benefits of taking cyclobenzaprine include the:
- Reduction in muscle spasms and pain
- Increased mobility and flexibility of the muscles
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved sleep
- Reduced risk of further muscle injury.
Diazepam
Diazepam is a muscle relaxant that is used to treat a variety of conditions related to muscle spasms, such as spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and certain brain and spinal cord injuries. It can also be used to treat certain types of seizures, anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and irritable bowel syndrome. The benefits of using diazepam include relief of muscle spasms, improved muscle control, improved coordination, and reduced anxiety.
In addition, it can help reduce the risk of muscle strain, improve sleep quality, and provide a sense of relaxation. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant that works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that suppresses the activity of nerve cells responsible for muscle contraction. It may also be used to treat certain seizure disorders.
Metaxalone
Metaxalone is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. It is used to treat muscle spasms/pain caused by sprains, strains, and other muscle injuries. It works by blocking pain signals in the brain, thus relaxing the muscle and reducing pain and discomfort. It is also used to treat inflammation and stiffness associated with muscle injuries.
It is available in tablet form and is usually taken three to four times a day. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, and headache.
Benefits of metaxalone include:
- Reducing muscle stiffness and pain, allowing for improved movement and flexibility
- Alleviating muscle spasms
- Increasing blood flow to injured muscles, which can help with healing
- Reducing inflammation that can cause pain
- Helping you sleep better by alleviating muscle stiffness and pain, allowing for improved relaxation
Methocarbamol
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to your brain. This helps to reduce muscle spasms, pain, and stiffness. It also helps to improve the range of motion and flexibility. It is often used for lower back pain, neck pain, and other conditions that can cause muscle spasms. It can also be used to help with muscle rehabilitation after an injury or surgery.
It is also used to treat painful muscle conditions such as fibromyalgia and polymyositis. The active ingredient in Methocarbamol is methocarbamol, a carbamate derivative of guaifenesin. It is available in both generic and brand-name versions.
Orphenadrine
Orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant medication used to relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain caused by muscle injuries, sprains, strains, and other muscle-related conditions. It works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to the brain, helping to reduce muscle tension and pain.
Orphenadrine is an anticholinergic medication. It works by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps control the contraction and relaxation of the muscles. It is available in both an oral and an injectable form.
Common benefits of orphenadrine include:
- Reduced muscle spasms
- Improved flexibility
- Reduced pain and stiffness
- Improved range of motion
- Improved ability to perform everyday activities
- Improved quality of life
Robaxin
Robaxin is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat muscle spasms and pain caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. It works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to the brain, which helps to relax the muscles. The benefits of taking Robaxin include decreased pain, improved mobility, and increased range of motion. It also helps to reduce muscle spasms and cramps, as well as help improve sleep quality.
Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. It is also known as a skeletal muscle relaxant and is used to treat muscle spasms in adults. It is not known if it works by directly relaxing the muscles or if it works by affecting the nerves in the spine.
Tizanidine
Tizanidine is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to your brain. It is often used to treat muscle spasticity caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy.
It can also be used to treat certain types of headaches and as an adjunct to physical therapy for short-term relief of muscle spasms. Tizanidine is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve signals (alpha-2 adrenergic receptors) in the brain that are responsible for muscle contraction.
Benefits of tizanidine include:
- Relaxing muscle spasms
- Reducing muscle tension
- Reducing pain
- Improving range of motion
- Improving coordination
- Increasing mobility
- Improving sleep quality
- Increasing energy levels
Flexeril
Flexeril is a prescription muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Flexeril is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury. It can also be used to relax muscles that are spasming due to a variety of causes.
The main benefits of Flexeril are:
- Relief of muscle spasms: Flexeril helps to relax tight, tense muscles and relieve muscle spasms.
- Improved mobility: Flexeril can help to reduce the stiffness associated with muscle spasms, allowing for improved mobility and flexibility.
- Pain relief: Flexeril helps to reduce the pain caused by muscle spasms, allowing you to move without pain.
- Reduced inflammation: Flexeril can help to reduce inflammation in the muscles, which can help to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Improved sleep quality: Flexeril helps to reduce muscle tension, allowing for improved relaxation and better sleep quality.
The active ingredient in Flexeril is cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride. Other inactive ingredients may include corn starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
Soma
Soma (Carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms and pain. It is also used to treat injuries, such as strains and sprains. The main benefit of Soma is that it works quickly to relieve muscle spasms and pain.
It can also reduce the need for other medications to control pain and spasms. Other benefits may include helping to reduce inflammation and improving the range of motion. It is usually taken with rest and physical therapy to treat these conditions.
Zanaflex
Zanaflex is a muscle relaxant used to relieve pain and discomfort associated with muscle spasms. It works by blocking nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract. This helps to reduce muscle spasms and associated pain and discomfort.
Zanaflex can also help relax tight muscles, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility and help with range of motion. Additionally, it may help reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from muscle strain or injury. Zanaflex contains tizanidine, which is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. This helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramps, and tightness.
Norflex
Norflex is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat muscle spasms. The active ingredient in Norflex is orphenadrine, which works to reduce the activity of certain nerve signals in the body. This helps to relax the muscles, relieve pain and improve mobility.
Benefits of taking Norflex include:
- Reduced muscle spasms
- Improved flexibility and range of motion
- Reduced pain
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced fatigue - Increased energy levels
- Reduced risk of injury
- Improved overall quality of life
Parafon Forte
Parafon Forte is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses, or pain signals, that are sent to the brain. It is used to treat muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain caused by strains, sprains, or other injuries.
Some of the benefits of using Parafon Forte include:
- Reducing muscle spasms and stiffness
- Providing relief from muscle pain
- Improving range of motion
- Increasing ability to perform daily activities
- Increasing flexibility
- Helping to prevent further injury to the affected area
It contains the active ingredient Chlorzoxazone, which is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant. Other inactive ingredients in Parafon Forte include magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and colloidal silicon dioxide.
Lioresal
Lioresal (type of Baclofen) is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasticity associated with certain conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. It works by blocking certain nerve impulses that cause muscle spasms and helps to reduce rigidity and improve muscle control and coordination.
Lioresal can help improve movement, reduce pain, and improve the ability to perform everyday activities. It may also help reduce the need for other medications and reduce the risk of falls.
The active ingredient in Lioresal is baclofen, which is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist. Other components of Lioresal include lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, and povidone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Top 5 Muscle Relaxers?
You will come across several instant relief muscle relaxers in the market. But here are the top 5 muscle relaxers that are prescribed medications. In the first place, you can consider using Baclofen. You can also use Carisoprodol. Thirdly, you can consider using Cyclobenzaprine. Apart from these three muscle relaxers, medical professionals also prescribe Diazepam and Metaxalone
What Is A Good Muscle Relaxer?
A good muscle relaxer gives you immediate effect by reducing muscle pains and causes fewer side effects. Also, its effect lasts for a comparatively longer duration. Baclofen, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, diazepam, and metaxalone are some good muscle relaxants you should consider using.
What Do Muscle Relaxers Do?
Muscle relaxers are used to reduce muscle pains. They affect our body by first relaxing our nervous system and then reducing muscle pains. They treat acute and chronic muscle pains that can be a hurdle to our daily life activities.
Conclusion
So now you know everything about the top 15 muscle relaxers that are usually prescribed by professional doctors. To conclude you can say that each muscle relaxer mentioned has its own set of pros and cons.
Some are difficult to administer while you can intake some very easily because they are available in tablet forms. On the other hand, some muscle relaxers are very effective and used for surgical purposes as well. Whereas, they are some muscle relaxers that you can use for daily use.
Overdosing of muscle relaxers is something you need to take care of because excess of its intake can hamper your health. Muscle relaxers have two effects. Their first effect is on our nervous system. So if you overdose on muscle relaxers, it can alter your nervous system very badly.
Secondly, the muscle relaxer affects the muscles affected by pain. The second effect that causes relaxation is the muscles. Now there are some key things that you must note. Firstly, muscle relaxers do not affect just the affected muscle in pain. It creates its impact on our overall body of us. Hence, in some rare cases, its overdose can cause paralysis or permanent damage.
Muscle relaxers and drugs create the effect of dizziness. They act like drugs and hence can be quite addictive. Therefore, it is very important for you to monitor its usage and not get addicted to it. Therefore, we suggest you precisely got through the entire list of muscle relaxers mentioned above. Analyze all muscle relaxers and choose the one that is the best to suit your needs.
