Muscle Relaxers Over the Counter

Muscle relaxers, also called skeletal muscle relaxants are drugs that alleviate pain, stiffness, swelling or any kind of discomfort due to strains, sprains, muscle spasms and other muscle injuries. However, they don't heal the injuries or defects but help in relaxing the muscles and relieving the pain. Though over the counter muscle relaxers are extremely handy over the prescribed drugs for muscle relief, there are two major problems that many pharmaceutical companies have to face while making these medications. Firstly, people usually have this misconception that over the counter muscle relaxants don't exist and they can't get these relaxers without having a doctor's prescription in hand. Secondly, even if they are aware of the fact that these relaxers can be purchased without any prescription, they believe that over the counter muscles relaxers are ineffective in comparison to prescribed medications. However, prescribed medications are more potent and have higher concentrations of the core components and are taken only when muscle relaxers over the counter can't cure the problem and powerful medications are required. Read more on natural muscle relaxants.

Types of Muscle Relaxers Over the Counter

Tramaden: It is a clinically proven long lasting pain relief pill which provides quick relief to aching, painful joints and muscles. It restores joint flexibility, reduces inflammation and promotes normal cell growth. It can be taken as a dietary supplement, one capsule before each meal but make sure you don't exceed more than three capsules per day.

Lioresal: It's a muscle relaxant used for curing muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis or other diseases. It reduces the frequency and severity of muscle spasms but should not be crushed or chewed before swallowing.

Robaxin (Methocarbamol): It's a skeletal muscle relaxant used for relieving pain or discomfort due to strains and sprains. Though it causes no direct effect on the muscle, it's prolonged intake is not recommended and it should be taken with a full glass of water.

Zanaflex (Tizanidine-Oral): It's a muscle relaxant that relieves spasms and increased muscle tone due to multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. It can be taken orally, 2 - 3 times a day. Zanaflex causes no direct effect on skeletal muscle fibers or the neuromuscular junction and monosynaptic spinal reflexes.

Skelaxin (Metaxalone): It's a muscle relaxant used to treat skeletal muscle conditions or disorders, like, pain or injury. It can be taken by mouth with or without food, however, with food may increase the chances of drowsiness or dizziness.

Tegretol (Carbamazepine): It is primarily used for controlling certain types of epilepsy. It is also used to relieve severe pain of the jaw or cheek caused by a facial nerve problem (trigeminal neuralgia). Tegretol can be taken by mouth with or without food on daily basis. If suddenly stopped, it may increases the risk of side effects, like, seizures.

Baclofen: It's a muscle relaxant used to minimize the frequency and severity of muscle spasms due to neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. Baclofen can be taken by mouth with or without food on daily basis.

Toradol (Ketorolac): It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for short-term (up to 5 days) treatment of moderate to severe muscle pain (usually after a surgery), alone or in combination with other medicines. It also reduces inflammation by keeping certain chemicals (prostaglandins) from being produced by the injured tissue.

Celebrex (Celecoxib): It is used for alleviating pain, fever, swelling and tenderness due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Celebrex does not prevent the progression of either type of arthritis, however, it reduces the signs of arthritis. It also provides relief from acute pain as well as pain of menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea).

Read more on muscle relaxants side effects.

Imitrex, methotrexate, pain relief patch, medrol, etc. are some other examples of muscle relaxers over the counter. These relaxers can be taken to treat any kind of muscle disorder, like, pain or swelling in muscles, muscle cramps, etc. however if the severity of the discomfort increases, it is recommended to consult a doctor for necessary treatment and medications.