Muscle Relaxants
Guide
The muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines are most likely the result of their ability to depress the central nervous system.
Muscle relaxants can be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the start of low back pain.
Muscle relaxants are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people who have depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Muscle relaxants may improve acute or chronic low back pain, muscle tension, and mobility. But side effects are common.1, 2
Possible side effects of muscle relaxants include:
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
Muscle relaxant medicines work best when they are taken before bedtime. They should not be used by a person who needs to drive or operate machinery.
Use of muscle relaxants is restricted to short-term use to avoid addiction.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Muscle Relaxants
Guide
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| carisoprodol | Soma |
| cyclobenzaprine | Flexeril |
| diazepam | Valium |
| metaxalone | Skelaxin |
| methocarbamol | Robaxin |
How It Works
The muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines are most likely the result of their ability to depress the central nervous system.
Why It Is Used
Muscle relaxants can be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the start of low back pain.
Muscle relaxants are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people who have depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
How Well It Works
Muscle relaxants may improve acute or chronic low back pain, muscle tension, and mobility. But side effects are common.1, 2
Side Effects
Possible side effects of muscle relaxants include:
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Muscle relaxant medicines work best when they are taken before bedtime. They should not be used by a person who needs to drive or operate machinery.
Use of muscle relaxants is restricted to short-term use to avoid addiction.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Citations
McIntosh G, Hall H (2011). Low back pain (acute), search date December 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Chou R (2010). Low back pain (chronic), search date April 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.