Muscle relaxants for neck pain

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Soma	carisoprodol

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Flexeril	cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Valium	diazepam

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Skelaxin	metaxalone

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Robaxin	methocarbamol

How It Works

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Muscle relaxant medications affect the communication between the brain and the spinal cord (central nervous system). They act as sedatives, which most likely causes their muscle-relaxing effects.

Why It Is Used

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Muscle relaxants may be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the beginning of neck pain.

How Well It Works

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Muscle relaxants are commonly used to treat muscle spasms in neck pain. But there is little research on their use for neck pain. Muscle relaxants do work for some people with neck pain. Studies of people with back and neck pain found that cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) was better for pain than diazepam (Valium) or nothing.¹

Side Effects

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Side effects include:

• Possible addiction or dependence.
• Drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Urinary retention.

These medications are best taken at bedtime. If you use one during waking hours, strictly avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing similar activities that could be dangerous to you or others if you become drowsy.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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Muscle relaxants are recommended only for initial, short-term treatment of neck pain.

Valium and Soma are not recommended for use by:

• Pregnant women.
• Older adults.
• People who have depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

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Citations

1. Binder A (2005). Neck pain, search date May 2005. Online version of Clinical Evidence (14): 1–22.

Credits

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Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last Updated	August 24, 2006