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

The way it works is not entirely understood but is likely due to central nervous system depression. Flexeril is also a skeletal muscle relaxant—the active ingredient is cyclobenzaprine. https://flexeril.live Flexeril is no longer available commercially as a brand-name product. Cyclobenzaprine is also available in an extended-release form with the brand name of Amrix.

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Muscle spasms are sudden and involuntary muscle tightness or contractions, and are most often caused by muscle fatigue or injury. 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.

Neuromuscular blocking agents and skeletal muscle relaxants

We also look into an over-the-counter (OTC) option and whether cannabis might help. Metaxalone should be used during pregnancy and lactation only if the benefit justifies the potential perinatal risk. This treatment method targets the caudal area of the back located at the tailbone’s end. Treatment is applied here as the nerves that travel here contain the motor and sensory signal pathways for the lower back and legs.

Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. This medication is used to relieve discomfort and pain caused by muscle spasms or injuries, and to relax muscles. People taking medications that act on serotonin must avoid cyclobenzaprine, as it can increase the risk of developing serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

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Despite acting more as a sedative rather than as a muscle relaxant, diazepam is a popular prescription to address muscle pain. It is a drug that can be taken orally, anally, injected in veins or muscles directly, or used as a nasal spray. The manufacturer recommends using Skelaxin along with rest, physical therapy, and other measures.

Is Skelaxin or Flexeril more effective?

The muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines are most likely the result of their ability to depress the
central nervous system . It primarily works by blocking transmission of pain sensation to brain. It has has no direct actions on the striated muscles, the motor end plate, or the nerve fiber. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current. Most insurance and Medicare Part D plans cover Flexeril (generic). A typical prescription of generic Flexeril would cost about $20 out-of-pocket, but with SingleCare you can purchase the generic Flexeril for about $7-$8 at participating pharmacies.

• Of course, these aren’t for continued use as there are risks involved when used too much.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.
• Muscle relaxants can be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the start of
  low back pain .
• To use it, combine 1 tsp of turmeric powder in one cup of water with 1 tsp of sugar.
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Its possible metaxalone mayskew the results of certain medical tests. So if you’re scheduled for one, be sure to tell (or remind) your healthcare provider that you’re taking this drug. Cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to tricyclic antidepressants. Although it is considered a derivative of the tricyclic antidepressant class, it does not pose the same risk to your liver health.

Coverage and cost comparison of Skelaxin vs. Flexeril

Adverse reactions from metaxalone use are related to CNS depression (drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting); hence, the potential for abuse is higher with this agent. Other adverse effects include hepatotoxicity and hemolytic anemia [29r]. Skelaxin and Flexeril are two FDA-approved medications indicated to treat muscle spasms. They are in a group of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants.

Antispastic medications are effective in treating spasticity, but high doses can lead to unwanted side effects. Other treatments can help with spasticity as well, including physical therapy and Botox® injections. Muscle relaxants are a somewhat common prescription due to the frequency of acute and chronic back pain.