Muscle relaxers: Types, side effects, safety, and more

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. Also, some people may experience side buy flexeril cyclobenzaprine without prescription effects when taking a strong, over-the-counter muscle relaxer for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint), including nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are some of the most common OTC muscle relaxers medications for pain.

• Flexeril, Amrix, and Fexmid are brand names of this drug in the U.S.
• Tylenol 3 contains acetaminophen and a high amount of codeine, an opioid.
• Dr. de Falla spent several years developing drugs at Abbott Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company where she holds a patent for a drug formulation.
• Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor’s approach and treatment plan.
• 70% of patients who received a prescription for a muscle relaxant also received a prescription for an opioid, which could potentially result in harmful interactions.
• If you’re taking a prescription muscle relaxer, you shouldn’t consume alcohol.

If there is a response to the treatment, the doctor will adjust the dosage. Doctors also warn people of the dangers of combining this medication with alcohol. In addition, there is a risk of developing a dependency on carisoprodol. Antispastics and antispasmodics have different indications and side effects. Since these drugs work differently, a person should never use them interchangeably or substitute one type for another. They work by increasing the effects of certain neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that relay messages between your brain cells.

Join our addiction treatment communities

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it presents you with plenty of options, no matter what has you hurting. As always, consult your healthcare provider for professional medical advice before taking a new medication. Even natural treatments can cause serious drug-drug interactions. But some medications have the same effects of relieving muscle pain.

Suboxone interactions: Other medications, alcohol, and more – Medical News Today

Suboxone interactions: Other medications, alcohol, and more.

Posted: Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:36:59 GMT [source]

First, let’s go over different types of muscle pain so it’s easier for you to identify the best drug for you. Skeletal muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and carisoprodol (Soma) work well to relieve back and neck pain. It is essential to consult with a doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC muscle relaxants if there are any concerns or if the condition does not improve after a few days of use. Doing so can help ensure that strong OTC muscle relaxers are used safely and appropriately for optimal results. If you feel that you’re dependent on carisoprodol or diazepam or your prescribed dosage isn’t helping to manage your symptoms, don’t take more than your recommended dosage.

The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Neck pain may feel sharp and sudden, and it may be hard to move your neck around.

Compare Drugs

The combination of magnesium carbonate, valerian root, and passiflora is available in Formula 303 Muscle Relaxant. Formula 303 Muscle Relaxant is deemed to provide a natural blend for relieving tension. A combination of camphor and menthol provides temporary topical relief to joint aches and pains. Popular OTC brands, except for Sombra Cream, are Tiger Balm, and Polar Freeze.

This is due to the adverse side effects of antispasmodics, including addiction potential for some types of the medication. We’ve teamed up with Sesame’s medical director, Dr. Allison Edwards, MD, to explore popular OTC and prescription muscle relaxants, how they work, and important side effects and precautions. We’ll also discuss when and how to seek a medical provider for proper care. If you experience a sudden onset of muscle spasms or severe pain, or if you suspect that you have a chronic problem with muscle spasms, see a medical provider. Because older adults often experience chronic health conditions that require treatment with multiple medications, there is a greater likelihood of experiencing unwanted drug side effects. Older people can also be more sensitive to certain medications.

Centrally acting SMRs are used in addition to rest and physical therapy to help relieve muscle spasms. They’re thought to work by causing a sedative effect or by preventing your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. Muscle relaxants are used to treat muscle spasticity (stiffness or rigidity). This can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three muscle relaxants—baclofen, tizanidine, and dantrolene—to treat muscle spasticity.

What Are Muscle Relaxers?

In fact, the researchers concluded that antihistamines provide better pain relief than NSAIDs when used for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Someone who has become dependent on or addicted to over-the-counter muscle relaxers should seek addiction treatment. Drug treatment programs are designed to medically support addicted individuals as they detox and experience withdrawal symptoms. Because it’s generally prescribed as a short-term response to acute pain, Flexeril abuse is rather unlikely. However, cyclobenzaprine and other muscle relaxants can be abused if they’re taken in excessive doses, so patients should be careful to adhere to their doctor’s instructions.

This will help in recognizing the correct dosage for an underlying condition. The opioid codeine in Tylenol 3 can cause euphoria, which leads some patients to abuse the drug. Mixing acetaminophen with any of these drugs heightens the risk of experiencing side effects from each medication.