Muscle relaxers are prescribed to relieve muscle spasm and muscle pain. Specifically, doctors often prescribe muscle relaxers to treat low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches and other pain syndromes. Muscle relaxers are typically combined with other medications to optimally relive pain. A patient who is prescribed a muscle relaxer should be aware of his options and the side effects associated with each type.
Cyclobenzaprine
Cyclobenzaprine is a commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. According to Drugs.com, cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasm without interfering with muscle function. This medication does not work on the actual muscle, but works in the brain to reduce signals sent to muscles that are spasming. Furthermore, research shows that cyclobenzaprine produces clinical improvement in muscle spasms when compared to placebo. Thus, cyclobenzaprine is useful in reducing minor muscle spasms and the pain associated with a muscle spasm. The major side effects of cyclobenzaprine are drowsiness and dry mouth. At a 5 mg dose, drowsiness occurs in 29 percent of patients and dry mouth occurs in 21 percent of patients.
Carisoprodol
MayoClinic.com notes that carisoprodol is a commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. This medication does not directly relax the spasming muscle, but acts on the brain to provide relief. Drugs.com further states that the mechanism of action of carisoprodol is unknown, but is thought to be related to its sedative properties. Carisoprodol acts within four to six hours in most patients to provide immediate relief. Although beneficial in immediate relieving muscular pain, carisoprodol has significant side effects that include irregular heartbeat, drowsiness, dizziness, tremor, agitation, headache, seizures, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to MayoClinic.com. A patient experiencing these side effects should tell his doctor. The doctor may adjust the dosage or prescribe a different muscle relaxer.
Methocarbamol
According to Drugs.com, methocarbamol acts as a muscle relaxant and a sedative. The mechanism by which methocarbamol relaxes muscles is unknown, but may act in the brain to relieve pain and muscle spasm. Researchers do know, however, that methocarbamol does not act directly on the muscle. The major side effect of this medication is drowsiness. Thus, a patient beginning to take methocarbamol should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until he knows how his body reacts to methocarbamol. Other side effects include fever, headache, irregular heartbeat, confusion, vision problems and seizures, according to Drugs.com.
