Overview

Muscle relaxers are medications that help relax the muscles, Pain or spasms. Muscle spasms, pain, and discomfort in the muscles can arise from different conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord problems. The best over-the-counter medications are tylenol, advil, naproxen, and topical gels are used for temporary short-term pain relief, while prescription medications specifically for muscle spasms are available after the 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 emphasizes over-the-counter and prescription medications along with their mode of action in the body to treat muscle contractions, spasms, and medication.

What are muscle relaxers?

Muscle relaxers are medications that help relax the stretched or spasmed muscle and improve its function to its 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 muscle). They are prescription medications only in the United States and are only available 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 called muscle relaxants, are agents that help relieve muscle pain and ease the tightened or stretched muscles. They are broadly classified into two different types: 

1. Antispasmodics 
2. Antispastics

They are classified according to the area they work on in the body. 

Antispasmodics relieve the pain in the smooth muscle and smooth muscle cavities, e.g, the Urinary tract spasms and stomach cramps. Conditions like pain due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are treated with antispasmodics. Mechanisms of action of antispasmodics include reducing the excessive contractions of the smooth muscles.   

Antispastics are medications that help relieve the pain in skeletal muscles in the body (muscles that help in movement). These medications address and ease the pain present 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 for fever and the body’s pain. It gives instant relief and is the best over-the-counter option. 

• Naproxen 

 It is also an NSAID and is a good option for muscle pain as well as inflammation in the localized area of anyone in the body. 

• Guaifenesin (Mucinex) 

 Mucinex is an expectorant taken over the counter for short-term back pain or muscle spasms. 

• Aspirin

is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication used over the counter to relieve mild to moderate pain in the body. 

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 

 It is an NSAID over-the-counter analgesic medication that can help with muscle discomfort greatly. 

• Menthol and Capsaicin

Menthol and capsaicin are both ingredients available in topical gels and creams that help numb the area it is applied. It can help get instant relief by providing 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 around the world, 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 relaxers medications are prescribed after the correct diagnosis of an underlying condition. For muscle spasms and pain, different medications from the drug classes are prescribed, including : 

1. Methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is a class of medications called “Musculoskeletal pain relief.” These medications work by stimulating the central nervous system, which in turn affects the pain receptors in the muscles. 

Methocarbamol got FDA approval in 1957 to be prescribed for musculoskeletal pain. One of the most common side effects of methocarbamol is sleepiness and dizziness throughout the day, because of which it is also recommended to use for the short term by healthcare providers. It is usually recommended in the dose of 500 mg to 750 mg four times a day. 

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

2. Cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine belongs to the drug class of cyclical antidepressants but is widely prescribed as a muscle relaxant. It is also an FDA-approved drug to be prescribed for muscle spasms and pain due to acute muscle conditions in the body. 

Cyclobenzaprine works on the central nervous system that helps relieve the stretched muscles causing pain in the body. Usually recommended dose for adults is 5 to 10 mg, which should only be taken three times a day.

3. 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. 

The usual recommended dose for baclofen in adults is 5 mg three times a day, taking the dose adjustment into account as all the muscle relaxant medications that stimulate the brain should be adjusted accordingly to the underlying condition, weight, and age of the patient.

4. Tizanidine

Tizanidine is an FDA-approved drug for managing the spasticity of the muscles. It is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist drug (works by blocking the nerve impulses). Tizanidine 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.

5. Metaxalone

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), but it’s not usually recommended in terms of economic unfriendliness, and other options for the prescriptions are considered 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. Getting a consultation 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. 

1. Sedatives and Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: Combining these with muscle relaxants will increase the drowsiness effects.e.g., diazepam,  hydrocodone 

2. Antihistamine: Combining antihistamine (anti-allergy) medications with muscle relaxants will also enhance drowsiness.eg diphenhydramine or cetirizine 

3. Antidepressants: Combining these two might cause serotonin syndrome. 

4. Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsants like gabapentin will interact with muscle relaxants, leading to increased drowsiness. 

5. 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 get prescription medication for muscle relaxation and pain relief by getting connected to the virtual healthcare provider and getting a consultation as well as a prescription for your medical consultation. 

It’s a crucial part of the treatment as the healthcare provider will prescribe you medication as per your condition, and the dose will be adjusted accordingly for optimum results.

FAQs about over-the-counter muscle relaxers

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