What is the best muscle relaxer?

It’s hard to understate the importance of a healthy back or neck when going about a normal day and carrying out virtually every activity. Even basic tasks like getting dressed, making a meal, or getting into and out of a car can quickly be derailed by a muscle spasm or cramp. Fortunately, a specific category of medications known as muscle relaxers can help relieve discomfort brought on by muscle cramps and spasms. So, what is the best muscle relaxer? The answer depends on your personal condition, medical history, and other medications you may be taking. Read on to learn more.

Who needs to take medication for muscle spasms?

Muscle relaxant drugs can bring relief for several different medical conditions. If you have suffered from an acute injury, such as a muscle strain or a motor vehicle accident, a muscle relaxer pill can help provide relief. Strong muscle relaxers can also help people who have more chronic health conditions, such as back pain, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy (CP), or a spinal cord injury.

Different types of muscle relaxers

When it comes to determining the best muscle relaxers and which muscle relaxers are the strongest, it’s important to know that different categories of strong muscle relaxants serve different purposes.

Type 1: Antispasmodics

An antispasmodic muscle relaxant works by disrupting the pain signals that travel between the skeletal muscles, the spinal cord, and the brain. This can help with the symptoms of muscle cramping or spasming. They also can help relieve spasms by causing a sedative effect. Examples of antispasmodic muscle relaxant drugs include:

• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone)

Type 2: Antispastics

An antispastic helps relieve muscle spasticity by reducing the transmission of signals at the spinal cord level of the nervous system. This type of medication helps relieve spasming caused by nervous system disorders such as MS, CP, and ALS, as well as spasms from spinal cord injury. Examples of the best antispastic muscle pain reliever medications include:

• Baclofen (Lioresal)
• Dantrolene (Dantrium)

Type 3: Benzodiazepines

Another category of muscle relaxers for back pain is benzodiazepines. These are typically not used as “first-line” agents when it comes to relieving low back pain. However, they can be used as an alternative agent for rigidity. They can also help with other symptoms, especially if muscle spasms are being caused by excess stress and anxiety. An example of a benzodiazepine muscle relaxant is diazepam (Valium).

Type 4: Antispasmodic and antispastic

An additional category of best medicine for muscle pain is medications that have both antispasmodic and antispastic properties. These include tizanidine (Zanaflex) and diazepam (Valium).

Best prescription muscle relaxers

What is the best muscle relaxer? The best muscle relaxant varies by individual; however, there are some more commonly used medications. To provide the best muscle pain relief, medical practitioners may first consider the following prescription medicines.

Soma

Also known as “carisoprodol,” this is a skeletal muscle relaxant in the category of antispasmodics. While Soma can be considered the best muscle relaxer for back pain, it should be used with caution because it has been associated with dependency and addiction concerns. For this reason, it should only be used for short periods, such as two or three weeks.

Flexeril

Also known as “Amrix” or cyclobenzaprine, this skeletal muscle relaxant is commonly used as the best medication for muscle pain. It can also treat shoulder pain or fibromyalgia. Flexeril can have a sedative effect, so it’s important not to combine it with other sedating medications, such as opiate pain relievers.

Skelaxin

Also known as “metaxalone,” this is a skeletal muscle relaxant that can help provide temporary muscle pain relief. While this medication does cause some level of sedation, research shows it may be less sedating than other alternative medications, such as Flexeril.

Robaxin

Also known as “methocarbamol,” this is another skeletal muscle relaxer that can help relieve pain from muscle cramping and spasming. Research shows that this medication may work by providing a sedative and relaxation effect.

Best over the counter muscle relaxers

What is the best OTC muscle relaxer? If you are suffering from acute muscle pain, several over the counter medications may provide relief. These medications are not technically “muscle relaxants.” However, they can help with sore muscles by reducing pain and inflammation.

Ibuprofen

Potentially the best OTC for muscle pain, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is in the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). It helps lower pain by reducing the production of certain chemicals that are triggered in the inflammatory response pathway. Ibuprofen can be combined with appropriate rest and stretching for strong muscle pain relief.

Naproxen

Another important OTC for muscle pain relief is naproxen (Naprosyn). This NSAID can be taken to help relieve muscle pain that is caused by spasms. It is also helpful for conditions such as arthritis.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen, or Tylenol, is an OTC pain reliever that can be beneficial if you’re experiencing pain from muscle spasms. This medication can be safely combined with other OTC muscle pain medications, such as an NSAID, to help with muscle pain. Unlike prescription muscle relaxers, it does not have a sedative effect.

Most popular muscle relaxer medications

When searching for a good muscle relaxer or the best tablet for muscle pain, it can be helpful to understand the most commonly used medications for muscle spasms. The following are prescribed more commonly for muscle spasms that are caused by acute conditions.

How do you take meds for muscle spasms?

The best medication for muscle pain is often the medicine that can be taken in the safest, most effective manner. If you are considering a muscle pain medication, it’s important to first consult your medical provider. Then, make sure to take the medication only as indicated or prescribed, paying special attention to the dose and frequency. Timing of the medication can also be important, as many muscle relaxants are sedating or can make you tired. Your provider may recommend that you take them before bedtime and limit combining them with other sedating medications.

What you should know before using muscle relaxant drugs

Before using a muscle relaxant medication, it’s important to know about common warnings, side effects, and contraindications:

• Warning 1: Muscle relaxants should not be used in combination with opiate medications. The properties of muscle relaxants and opiates overlap, and using both at the same time can be a deadly combination.
• Warning 2: Many muscle relaxants have sedating properties. This means you should not take them with other medications that make you sleepy, and you should also avoid alcohol and operating heavy machinery while taking muscle relaxants.
• Warning 3: Some muscle relaxants can worsen dependency or addiction concerns, particularly carisoprodol (Soma). If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, an alternative medication may be better.
• Warning 4: Muscle relaxants, like any other medication, have side effects that occur with their use. These can include dizziness, irritability, nausea, lightheadedness, dry mouth, and headache, among others.

Natural remedies and other treatments for muscle pain

As an alternative to prescription medicine for muscle spasms, many natural remedies and other treatments are available for sore muscles and inflammation. These include:

• Massage
• Turmeric
• Hydrotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Topical medications
• Cryotherapy (ice)

How to prevent muscle spasms

To avoid the development of muscle spasms, a few methods can be helpful. These include:

• Stretching and warming up before physical activity
• Practicing ergonomic lifting and movement methods
• Staying well-hydrated
• Avoiding electrolyte imbalances by replenishing with salts during heavy physical activity

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FAQs related to muscle spasm medication

How do muscle relaxers work?

Muscle relaxers work by modifying the transmission of signals between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the skeletal muscles. This can reduce physical spasms as well as the sensation of pain.

Is gabapentin a muscle relaxer?

Gabapentin is not a true muscle relaxant. Instead, it is in the category of anticonvulsant or anti-seizure medications. Gabapentin can be used for muscle pain stemming from fibromyalgia, nerve pain, and restless legs syndrome. However, it is not considered a first-line agent for skeletal muscle spasms.

Is naproxen a muscle relaxer?

No; naproxen is not a muscle relaxer. However, as an NSAID, it can be used to help with pain from sore muscles.

Is ibuprofen a muscle relaxer?

No; ibuprofen is not a muscle relaxer. However, as an NSAID, it can be used to help with pain from sore muscles.

Are muscle relaxers narcotics?

No. Muscle relaxers are not considered narcotics. However, similar to narcotics, they do have a considerable side effect profile that includes sedation, and they should be used cautiously. Some muscle relaxants, like carisoprodol and diazepam, are controlled substances.

Do muscle relaxers help with nerve pain?

Muscle relaxers can help with pain that stems from the conduction of signals between the skeletal muscles and the central nervous system. However, they are not the first-line agents for true “nerve pain.”

What is the best topical muscle relaxer?

The best topical muscle relaxer includes medications such as topical lidocaine, capsaicin, menthol, and NSAIDs. These are available over the counter and can often be combined with other medications for muscle spasms and pain.

What is the strongest over the counter muscle relaxer?

There are no true muscle relaxer medications available over the counter. However, several OTC medications for muscle pain can help relieve soreness. These include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Which muscle relaxer is the strongest?

There is no convincing head-to-head research that demonstrates which muscle relaxer is the strongest. Several antispasmodic muscle relaxants have similar properties and can provide strong relief from muscle spasms.

What is the best muscle relaxer for long-term use?

The best muscle relaxer for long-term use is one that has a good safety profile and tolerable side effects. In general, muscle relaxants in the antispasmodic category are for acute muscle pain and spasms. However, some chronic medical conditions do require long-term use of muscle relaxants.

What are the best skeletal muscle relaxants?

Research has not demonstrated that one skeletal muscle relaxant outperforms any other to a significant degree. In general, common muscle relaxants include cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, and methocarbamol, among others.

What is the best non-drowsy muscle relaxer?

All muscle relaxants cause drowsiness to some degree. However, research has found that some muscle relaxants, such as metaxalone and methocarbamol, cause less sedation.

What is the strongest muscle relaxer for back pain?

Experts have not found that one muscle relaxer is superior to another when it comes to back pain. However, certain muscle relaxants may tend to work better for a particular individual compared to another, depending on personal medical history and preferences.

What is the best muscle relaxer for neck pain?

The same factors and mechanisms that contribute to low back pain can also contribute to neck pain. Therefore, the best muscle relaxer for back pain may also be the best muscle relaxant to help with neck pain. If you’re experiencing neck pain or back pain, make sure to visit your medical provider to help rule out serious causes of both conditions.

References

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