Prescription Muscle Relaxer Drug Information
Prescription muscle relaxers are prescribed for the treatment of painful muscle disorders. They are available under a variety of brand names. Muscle relaxers can produce serious side effects, and possibly addiction. They should be used only as ordered by a physician.
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Definition
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A prescription muscle relaxer, also known as a muscle relaxant, or a skeletal muscle relaxant, is a drug used to treat muscle pain and spasms. Muscle relaxants are controlled substances, meaning that they are only available by prescription. Muscle relaxants act in the brain to relax the muscles.
Function
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Skeletal muscle relaxants do not affect the muscles themselves; they work within the central nervous system to diminish the muscle tone of the skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscle relaxants depress central nervous system functioning and may be referred to as sedatives.
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Prescription
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Muscle relaxants are only available in the United States by prescription. They are typically prescribed for short-term use to treat severe muscle pain due to sprains, strains and other injuries. Muscle relaxants are also prescribed to treat muscle spasms, stiffness, tightness and lower back pain.
Types
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Commonly prescribed, centrally acting muscle relaxants are carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), metaxalone (Skelaxin) and diazeoam (Valium). These drugs are in tablet form and taken orally. Other muscle relaxants are available under the brand names Robaxin, Norflex and Zanaflex.
Side Effects
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The most common side effect of muscle relaxants is sedation. Diazepam and carisoprodol is not recommended for use by pregnant women and those with a history of addiction. Muscle relaxants may also produce dizziness, dry mouth and urinary retention, and their use may interrupt sleep patterns. The use of muscle relaxants may prove to be habit-forming for some.
Abuse
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According to an article in American Family Physician, centrally acting muscle relaxants have the potential to be abused. The effects of the drug are compounded when taken with other depressants. They cite toxic effects such as diminished respiration and coma. A document available from the Department of Health Policy at Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia identifies carisoprodol as possibly the most abused muscle relaxant.
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