No muscle relaxers are available over the counter in the U.S., but some OTC medications can have muscle-relaxing effects. These include guaifenesin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Methocarbamol belongs to a class of medications called muscle relaxants that reduce muscle spasms. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that reduce pain and inflammation.
Only three muscle relaxants - baclofen, dantrolene, and tizanidine are FDA approved to treat spasticity; however, six (carisoprodol, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, methocarbamol, and orphenadrine) are approved to treat muscle spasm.
There are no over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxants in the United States. But some OTC medications can help muscle issues (like soreness), such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and acetaminophen.
Metaxalone
Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects. It's also the least likely of the muscle relaxants to make you sleepy. It may work better for chronic lower back pain that is flaring up, rather than for pain that is new.
Suxamethonium (succinylcholine)
At a dose of 1 to 1.5 mg/kg, suxamethonium causes extremely rapid muscular paralysis, and optimal intubating conditions are obtained within 30 to 60 seconds.
If you have mild-to-moderate pain, paracetamol is often the best painkiller to try first. But NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can be better for pain associated with inflammation.
Pain relievers do not essentially relax the muscles, but only improve pain caused by overstretching. Depending on the level of pain, the doctor may prescribe different types of pain relievers.
He said physical therapy and over-the-counter medications like Advil or Tylenol can help lessen the pain. "The data shows that while skeletal muscle relaxants are better than a placebo, there's no evidence that they provide benefit beyond nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs," Leonard said. Dr.
Ibuprofen/Methocarbamol Caplets
Robax Platinum contains an analgesic (ibuprofen) to relieve pain and a muscle relaxant (methocarbamol) to relax tense muscles.
Magnesium is essential for proper muscle function and acts to relieve tight, sore and cramped muscles. It controls muscle contraction and acts as a muscle relaxant. It can therefore be vital in the treatment of back pain and cramps by relaxing back muscles, kidney stress and muscular tension.
Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available.10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex. It is also available as a topical gel, Voltaren, which is available over the counter.
As with any medication, it's best to take as little as possible only when needed for as long as needed. It's easier to increase the dose later than to reduce it. Acetaminophen is considered the safest OTC painkiller for long-term use because it's thought to have fewer side effects than the other options.
Doxacurium is more potent, but is the least rapid and the longest acting relaxant currently available. When administered in doses of 37 to 80 micrograms/kg, it produces maximum block within 3.5 to 10 min, with a duration of clinical relaxation of 77 to 164 min.
Pancuronium is a long-acting muscle relaxant. It produces a moderate elevation in heart rate and blood pressure, and we have found that these effects are desirable in hypovolemic and bradycardic nonhuman primates.
Mivacurium is the shortest-acting, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent available. Its advantages include a short duration of action and rapid metabolism by plasma cholinesterase.
When you have back pain, your doctor may recommend muscle relaxants—a group of drugs that are typically obtained with a doctor's prescription. These drugs have the potential to decrease tension and spasm within a sore muscle, which may reduce pain.
But taking muscle relaxants, especially every day, isn't a good idea, according to our experts at Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.
The results of this study demonstrated that patients with muscle spasm associated with acute low back strain benefited from the use of combination therapy consisting of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (naproxen) and a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine).
Diazepam is used to relieve symptoms of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. This medicine may also be used to treat certain seizure disorders and help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine.
When used safely and according to doctor's orders, they can be very beneficial. Since muscle spasms are typically healed within two to three weeks, a doctor typically will only prescribe a muscle relaxant for acute rather than chronic pain. They are usually not intended for prolonged use.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help the pain caused by nerve inflammation. Over-the-counter muscle relaxers can also provide a certain degree of relief as well. For severe pain your Chicago pain management doctor may prescribe opiates, neuropathic medicines like Lyrica or stronger muscle relaxers.