There are days when you wake up in the morning and can't move your neck, or your back hurts and you feel tired all day. Sometimes, the pain feels like your muscles are being torn apart. At times like these, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer . It's important for you to know exactly what this medicine is.
What is a muscle spasm?
Simply put, a muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle in our body. We also call it a 'muscle twitch'. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and can sometimes be very painful.
We call this type of medication that relaxes muscle tension and reduces pain a muscle relaxer.
When is a muscle relaxant needed?
When you have back or neck pain, a doctor will first try to control the pain by giving you a simple painkiller like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen .
But if those medications don't relieve the pain, or if you can't take them due to liver problems or another medical condition like gastritis, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant as the next step.
The important thing is that these medications are often prescribed for short-term, sudden, severe pain (acute pain) . They are rarely used for chronic pain that has been present for years.
Another thing is, if you can't sleep at night because of the pain, taking this medicine will make you sleepy, which will help you sleep better. That's why doctors sometimes recommend taking these at night.
What are the side effects of these?
No matter what type of muscle relaxant you take, there are some side effects that can occur. However, some medications can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage . So, your doctor can help you choose the safest and most appropriate medication for your condition.
The table below lists some common side effects that many people may experience.
| Side effect | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Fatigue, drowsiness | Feeling tired and constantly feeling sleepy. |
| Weakness in the body | Feeling lifeless and powerless. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness , feeling like you're losing your balance. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling of saliva in the mouth and dryness. |
| Depression | Some people may feel sad and disinterested in anything. |
| Low blood pressure | Blood pressure may drop below normal levels. |
Things to definitely take care of
- Not with alcohol!: Do not drink alcohol for any reason while taking this medication. These medications depress brain function . When alcohol is added to it, the effect is greatly increased, causing loss of consciousness and a very high risk of serious accidents.
- Driving and operating machinery: Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication. Some medications start working within 30 minutes of taking them and their effects can last for 4-6 hours. During this time, you may feel drowsy and less alert, which can put you at risk of an accident.
- Elderly: Elderly people should be very careful when using this medication, as the side effects can be more severe for them.
Can you become addicted to these medications?
Yes, some people are at risk of addiction to these medications . This risk is especially increased if they are used without a doctor's advice, if they are taken in larger doses than prescribed, or if they are used for a long period of time.
- Carisoprodol (Soma) is the drug with the highest risk of addiction. This is because another chemical is produced when the drug breaks down in the body, which produces a high and calming effect. As a result, some people, without medical reasons, are tempted to use it because they crave the high.
- There is also a risk of misuse of other muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) .
If you use this medication for a long time, your body can become physically dependent on it. This means that if you stop taking the medication suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia , vomiting, and restlessness. Therefore, if you stop taking the medication, you should do so gradually, as directed by your doctor .
Take-Home Message
- Muscle relaxants are a medication that should only be taken with a doctor's prescription. Never use someone else's medication.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- If you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking the medication, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery.
- Always follow the dosage and duration prescribed by your doctor. Never increase or decrease the dosage.
- If you experience any side effects or have any concerns about the medication, talk to your doctor immediately.
- Do not stop taking medication suddenly after taking it for a long time. Stopping should be done under medical advice.
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