Baclofen vs Flexeril: Side Effects and Differences

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used in treating musculoskeletal conditions. However, evidence of their effectiveness consists mainly of studies with poor methodologic design. In addition, these drugs have not been proven to be superior to acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain. Comparison studies have not shown one skeletal muscle relaxant to be superior to another.

• Baclofen is also injected into the spinal cord to treat severe spasticity, spinal cord injuries, and other spinal cord diseases.
• Generally, cyclobenzaprine is more effective in treating acute musculoskeletal pain due to an injury in the back or neck.
• Baclofen is both a muscle relaxant and an anti spasmodic medication.
• Skeletal muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and carisoprodol (Soma) work well to relieve back and neck pain.
• Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using baclofen.

Tizanidine is also used in conjunction with physical therapy, which may be too uncomfortable without the medication. Various musculoskeletal conditions can lead to tense, cramping muscles or muscle spasms. Muscle spasticity occurs when skeletal muscles contract involuntarily and cannot relax. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to intense, severe pain. Gablofen over-the-counter alternatives can also be used as therapy for muscle spasms caused by acute lower back pain, tension headaches, or other similar conditions in different patients.

The Best Muscle Relaxants for Every Type of Pain

Tense, aching muscles can be frustrating, distracting, and throw a wrench into your schedule. When muscle pain hits, it can have you looking for fast-acting relief so you can get on with life. Whether you experience back pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, injury-related chronic pain, or even TMJ, muscle relaxers offer fast pain relief, allowing your body to function as usual. Consider this guide your roadmap to the best muscle relaxers on the market. Although antispastics and antispasmodics are both types of skeletal muscle relaxants, they have specific and different uses.

It is important to note that cyclobenzaprine’s steady-state plasma concentrations in elderly patients are double compared to young patients. Steady-state plasma concentration also appeared to be twofold higher in subjects with mild hepatic insufficiency than healthy controls. Clinicians should consider a dosage reduction in hepatic impairment and elderly patients.

Davis Company; Accessed August 28, Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Indications Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants. Cyclobenzaprine is a tricyclic amine salt that works in the central nervous system CNS as a depressant that reduces muscle hyperactivity. Older adults and people who have kidney or liver problems may experience more side effects from muscle relaxers. Duloxetine (Cymbalta), a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, appears safe for spine-related nerve pain like sciatica. Avoid most tricyclic antidepressants because of potential side effects.

Which muscle relaxants are best for neck and back pain?

One more significant difference is their half-life, which indicates how long the drug stays in your system. Baclofen has a half-life of 6.8 hours, and tizanidine has a 2.5-hour half-life. flexeril normal dose Muscle relaxants should always be used at the recommended dosage and for the prescribed time frame. Some muscle relaxants have abuse potential, especially with prolonged use.

Both baclofen and cyclobenzaprine carry significant adverse effects, and you should seek professional medical advice to determine which is best for you. Be aware of contraindications and drug interactions when taking these medications. Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, exercise, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should always be the first line of treatment for muscle spasm and related pain.

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There are many alternatives available to Baclofen, but they treat only a specific type of muscle pain. There is fair evidence that cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol, orphenadrine, and tizanidine are effective compared to placebo in patients with musculoskeletal conditions primarily acute back or neck pain. Cyclobenzaprine has been evaluated in the most clinical trials and has consistently been found to be effective. Some of the popular and commonly prescribed muscle relaxants are briefly described below.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Articles on this website are meant for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) is indicated for treating pain and muscle spasms related to short-term skeletal problems and muscle pain. It acts on the brain stem region, relieving short-term musculoskeletal pain and improves mobility. Cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasm of local origin without interfering with muscle function.