Muscle relaxants are generally taken to help alleviate the pain caused by muscle spasms, sprains, strains, and other types of muscle injuries that can cause stiffness, pain, and other discomfort. These drugs work by forcing muscles to relax, but they don’t actually heal anything—they only provide pain relief. Many of the most powerful muscle relaxants are only available by prescription, although there are some over the counter muscle relaxants. Most are taken in tablet form, although some (the most powerful) are generally done in a drip or via injection.

However, while muscle relaxants are quite popular as a painkiller and as a way of making a patient more comfortable, there are some professionals who question the safeness of muscle relaxants. Their concerns are based on the fact that muscle relaxants have a number of side effects. These side effects vary from person to person, but they can include many of the following.

One major concern is the fact that muscle relaxants can impair a person’s mental and physical abilities. Patients who take these drugs may feel drowsy, confused, and dizzy. This can put them and others into dangerous situations if the patient is driving or operating heavy equipment. Patients may also experience blurred vision and become unsteady.

If muscle relaxants are combined with other drugs or with alcohol, the side effects may be much worse. For this reason, those who are taking other prescription medication need to speak with their doctor before they take any muscle relaxants. Some medication simply does not mix well with the active ingredients in muscle relaxants. Some other side effects that muscle relaxants have been known to cause include vomiting, constipation, nausea, dry mouth, cramps, diarrhea, trembling, heartburn, and an overall feeling of weakness. While some people have experienced severe drowsiness, muscle relaxants have also been known to cause insomnia and fitful sleep.

While taking muscle relaxants may be the only way to control the pain caused by spasms, it should be noted that there is really no way to prevent any of the side effects. The best one can hope for is to reduce the side effects by taking the medication as directed and not drinking alcohol or using other drugs. One should always take the exact dosage, not more, no matter how bad the pain is. In addition to following the dose, patients should also get plenty of rest and follow their doctor’s recommended exercise and therapy regimen. Muscle relaxants are, after all, not meant to be a long-term solution to pain, so the cause of the muscle spasms must be addressed.

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