Examples

How It Works

Muscle relaxant medicines relax muscles and may help reduce pain in people who have muscle spasms. The muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines are most likely the result of their ability to depress the central nervous system. They are also called sedatives.

Why It Is Used

Muscle relaxant medicines are used when muscle spasms develop because of pain caused by a herniated disc.

Diazepam (Valium) and carisoprodol (Soma) are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people with depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

How Well It Works

Muscle relaxant medicines are usually helpful for reducing the pain of muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants may help to relax muscle spasms caused by a herniated disc, but muscle relaxants will not affect the herniated disc itself.^{1, 2}

Side Effects

Side effects of muscle relaxant medicines include:

• Drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Likelihood of dependence or addiction with regular use of diazepam (Valium) and carisoprodol (such as Soma).
• Urinary retention.

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 taken before bedtime. They should not be used when driving or operating machinery.

Muscle relaxants are usually used for only short periods of time, to avoid dependence and addiction.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

1. Koes B, Van Tulder M (2006). Low back pain (acute), search date November 2004. Online version of Clinical Evidence (15).
2. Van Tulder M, Koes B (2006). Low back pain (chronic), search date November 2004. Online version of Clinical Evidence (15).