Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your neck is so stiff and sore that you can't even move it? Or have you suddenly had back pain that makes it difficult to do your daily tasks? When we see a doctor at times like these, he or she may prescribe a medicine called a 'muscle relaxer '. So today, let's talk about what these medicines are, when they are given, and what we need to be careful about when using them.
What is a Muscle Spasm?
Simply put, a 'Muscle Spasm' is a sudden, involuntary contraction and tightening of one or more muscles in your body. This is what we all know as a 'muscle twitch'. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and can be very painful at times.
Imagine that you suddenly lift a heavy object and a muscle in your back tightens, or your neck muscles tighten and become painful when you sleep incorrectly. In such cases, doctors use a type of medicine called a muscle relaxer to relax the tight muscles and reduce the pain.
When a doctor may give you a muscle relaxer
A doctor won't give you this medicine when you have back or neck pain. Usually, the first thing they try is an over-the-counter pain reliever that you can buy from a pharmacy. For example, paracetamol or ibuprofen .
However, if these common painkillers do not relieve your pain, or if you cannot take them due to other medical conditions such as liver problems, gastritis, or stomach ulcers, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant as the next step.
Importantly, this type of medication is usually recommended for short-term, severe pain (acute pain), not for long-term pain (chronic pain).
Another special case is when you are unable to sleep properly at night due to the severity of the pain. Muscle Relaxers cause significant drowsiness . Therefore, taking this medicine at night will reduce the pain and help you get a good night's sleep.
What are the common side effects of these medications?
Any type of muscle relaxant can cause some side effects. Some medications can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage, so never use them without medical advice. Your doctor will determine which medication is best for your condition.
The table below lists some common side effects that many people may experience.
| Side Effect | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Drowsiness/Sedation | Always feeling sleepy and feeling heavy after taking the medicine. |
| Fatigue/Weakness | Feeling extremely tired even without doing any work. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness , a feeling of spinning. |
| Dry Mouth | A dry feeling in the mouth, as if saliva is stuck inside. |
| Depression | Some people may experience feelings of sadness and anxiety. |
| Decreased Blood Pressure | Blood pressure falling below normal. |
Things to definitely take care of
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Muscle relaxants slow down your brain function . Alcohol does the same thing. When these two are combined, they can cause excessive drowsiness, poor decision-making, and a higher risk of accidents.
Driving and operating machinery
This medication can make it difficult to think and concentrate. Some muscle relaxants start working within 30 minutes of taking the medication, and their effects can last for 4 to 6 hours. Therefore, never drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication.
Elderly people
Older people may be more likely to experience side effects from muscle relaxants (especially dizziness and drowsiness). This can increase the risk of accidents such as falls. Therefore, if you are an older person, talk to your doctor about this and use them with caution only if they are recommended.
Risk of addiction and misuse
This is a very important thing we all need to be aware of. Some muscle relaxants have the potential to cause addiction (` ADD iction`).
- Using this medicine without a doctor's prescription.
- Taking more than the prescribed dose.
- Using this medicine for a long time.
Things like this increase the risk of addiction.
The most common drug addiction and abuse cases are related to the drug carisoprodol, which breaks down in the body to produce a tranquilizer. Cyclobenzaprine has also been reported to be abused.
When you take this medicine for a long time, your body becomes physically dependent on it (`physical dependence`). This means that you cannot live without it, and if you suddenly stop taking it, you may experience `withdrawal symptoms`. For example:
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
Therefore, do not stop taking this medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. If you do stop, there is a way to do it.
Take-Home Message
- Muscle relaxers are a short-term, mild form of pain relief medication. They are not suitable for long-term use.
- Always take only the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time. Never share it with others.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
- Be aware of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience any discomfort, inform your doctor immediately.
- If you feel like you are becoming addicted to the medication or your body is becoming accustomed to it, talk to your doctor right away. Never try to stop taking the medication on your own.
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