Good for the elderly
Which Muscle Relaxants Are Best for Neck and Back Pain? 1) Methocarbamol . Methocarbamol ( Robaxin ) is a well-studied medication that treats back pain. 2) Cyclobenzaprine . 3) Carisoprodol . 4) Metaxalone. 5) Tizanidine . 6) Baclofen . 7) Oxazepam and diazepam.
Cyclobenzaprine is rated B by the FDA for safety during pregnancy, making it the safest muscle relaxant to use while pregnant. Dantrolene (Dantrium). Dantrolene helps control chronic spasticity related to spinal injuries . It is also used for conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.
Muscle relaxants should be avoided such as the drugs cyclobenzaprine ( Flexeril ), carisoprodol (Soma) and similar medications.
Methocarbamol and metaxalone are less sedating, although effectiveness evidence is limited. Adverse effects, particularly dizziness and drowsiness, are consistently reported with all skeletal muscle relaxants. The potential adverse effects should be communicated clearly to the patient.
Diphenhydramine and amitriptiline are the most common inappropriately prescribed medications with high risk adverse events while propoxyphene and doxazoxin are the most commonly prescribed medications with low risk adverse events.
Warfarin is one of the most common causes of medication -related hospitalizations in older adults . To reduce the risk of serious problems , one may need to apply extra care in monitoring warfarin effect (via the prothrombin blood test) and extra care in checking for interactions when a new drug is prescribed.
The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers Chamomile . Cherry juice . Blueberry smoothies . Cayenne pepper. Vitamin D. Magnesium . Rest.
Drugs used to treat Muscle Pain
Drug name | Rating | Rx/OTC |
---|---|---|
Aleve | 8.5 | Rx/OTC |
Generic name: naproxen systemic Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects | ||
Anaprox | 10 | Rx/OTC |
Two muscle relaxants called Zanaflex and Flexeril are among the drugs used to treat fibromyalgia.
Tricyclic antidepressants , especially amitriptyline and dothiepin ,16 are known to pose a high risk of death in overdosage. These drugs should therefore be avoided in older people whose medication is not supervised and who are at risk of taking an overdose.
Choice of antidepressant The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the newer antidepressants buproprion , mirtazapine, moclobemide, and venlafaxine (a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor or SNRI) are all relatively safe in the elderly.
The Geriatric Lexi-Drugs database recommends the avoidance of muscle relaxants other than diazepam and tizanidine in patients older than age 65 years because efficacy and safety have not been established in geriatric patients.
Low doses are available over the counter , but a doctor can prescribe higher doses as well.
The results of this study demonstrated that patients with muscle spasm associated with acute low back strain benefited from the use of combination therapy consisting of a nonsteroidal anti – inflammatory agent (naproxen) and a muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine).
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) and Ultram ( tramadol ) are used to treat back pain. Flexeril is indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Ultram is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain in adults.