Drug Class12 Medications

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a class of medications used to treat muscle spasms, spasticity, and musculoskeletal pain. They include both centrally acting agents (cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol) and peripherally acting agents (dantrolene).

Mechanism of Action

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants work by affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to reduce muscle spasms and stiffness. Instead of directly acting on the muscles themselves, most of these medications calm down the nerve signals that tell muscles to contract too much. Some drugs in this class increase the activity of a calming brain chemical called GABA, while others block nerve signals or reduce calcium release within muscle cells. This calming effect helps to loosen tight muscles, ease pain, and improve movement.

Clinical Uses

This class of drugs is primarily used to treat muscle spasms and pain caused by injuries like back sprains, neck pain, or other muscle strains. They are also used for chronic conditions that cause muscle stiffness, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. These medications are often prescribed for short-term use alongside rest and physical therapy to help patients recover and manage their symptoms.

Side Effects & Safety

The most common side effects of skeletal muscle relaxants include drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness, which can make it unsafe to drive or operate machinery. Some people may also experience nausea, dry mouth, or fatigue. More serious but rare side effects can include liver problems, allergic reactions, or severe sedation, especially if taken with alcohol or other sedatives. Carisoprodol has a risk of dependence and withdrawal, and tizanidine can cause low blood pressure.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants Medications (12)

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Baclofen

Brand: Baclofen (Intrathecal)

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Baclofen (Intrathecal) is a medication delivered directly into the fluid surrounding your spinal cord to help manage severe muscle stiffness and spasms, known as spasticity. It works by relaxing your muscles, which can improve movement and reduce discomfort caused by conditions like spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. This treatment is typically used when other baclofen forms haven't been effective or caused too many side effects.

$1,500–$5,000+/month/month

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Baclofen injection

Brand: Gablofen

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Gablofen is a medication that helps relax muscles and reduce severe muscle stiffness (spasticity). It works by acting on the spinal cord to decrease muscle overactivity. This treatment is typically used when other baclofen forms or treatments haven't worked well for patients with conditions causing severe spasticity.

$2000–$5000+/month/month

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Carisoprodol

Brand: Carisoprodol

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Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant medication used to help relieve discomfort from acute, painful muscle and bone conditions in adults. It works by affecting communication between nerves in the central nervous system to help relax muscles. This medication is typically used for short periods, usually up to two or three weeks.

$15–$50/month/month

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Chlorzoxazone

Brand: Chlorzoxazone

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Chlorzoxazone is a medication used to help relieve discomfort from sudden, painful muscle and bone conditions. It works by affecting the central nervous system, which helps reduce pain and muscle spasms, often alongside rest and physical therapy.

$50–$150/month/month

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Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride

Brand: Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride

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Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride is a muscle relaxant medication used to relieve muscle spasms caused by acute, painful muscle and bone conditions. It works by helping to relax the muscles, which can reduce pain, tenderness, and improve movement when used with rest and physical therapy. This medication is typically used for short periods to help you recover from these types of injuries.

$10–$30/month/month

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Dantrolene

Brand: Dantrolene

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Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant medication primarily used to treat and prevent a rare, severe reaction called malignant hyperthermia, which causes a rapid increase in body temperature and muscle rigidity during or after certain surgeries. It works by directly affecting muscle cells to reduce their overactivity and relax the muscles.

$300–$700/month/month

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Dantrolene sodium

Brand: Dantrolene Sodium

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Dantrolene Sodium is a medication used to help relax muscles and reduce severe muscle stiffness (spasticity) caused by certain conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis. It works by directly affecting the muscles to help them loosen up, which can improve movement and make physical therapy more effective.

$150–$400/month/month

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Metaxalone

Brand: Metaxalone

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Metaxalone is a muscle relaxant used to relieve discomfort from acute, painful muscle and bone conditions. While its exact action isn't fully understood, it's thought to help by causing a calming effect. It's typically used alongside rest and physical therapy to help patients feel better.

$200–$500/month/month

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Methocarbamol

Brand: Methocarbamol

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Methocarbamol is a medication used to help relieve discomfort from acute, painful muscle and bone conditions, often alongside rest and physical therapy. It works by affecting the central nervous system to reduce muscle spasms and pain, though it doesn't directly relax the muscles themselves.

$15–$40/month/month

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Orphenadrine citrate

Brand: Orphenadrine Citrate

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Orphenadrine Citrate is a prescription medication used to help relieve muscle discomfort and pain. It works by relaxing muscles and reducing stiffness, often prescribed alongside rest and physical therapy for acute muscle conditions.

$150–$400/month/month

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Tizanidine

Brand: Tizanidine

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Tizanidine is a medication used to relax muscles and reduce muscle stiffness or spasms (spasticity). It works by acting on the nervous system to calm overactive nerve signals that cause muscles to tighten. This helps improve muscle movement and comfort for daily activities.

$4–$25/month/month

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Tizanidine hydrochloride

Brand: Tizanidine Hydrochloride

Rx Only

Tizanidine Hydrochloride is a medication used to treat muscle spasticity, which is a condition causing muscle stiffness, tightness, and spasms. It works by relaxing muscles, helping to reduce discomfort and improve muscle control. This medicine is typically prescribed for adults experiencing persistent muscle spasticity.

$30–$80/month/month

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The information on RxGuide is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.