Title: 
Highlighting the Side Effects of Muscle Relaxants

Word Count:
597

Summary:
Every medication contains chemicals that may cause side effects. 

Side effects are problems that occur when treatment goes beyond the 

desired effect or problems that occur in addition to the desired 

therapeutic effect. This article tackles common side effects of 

muscle relaxants and other conditions.


Keywords:
side effects of muscle relaxants


Article Body:
Side effects are problems that occur when treatment goes beyond the 

desired effect or problems that occur in addition to the desired 

therapeutic effect.
When side effects of necessary medication are severe, sometimes a 

second medication, lifestyle change, dietary change, or other 

measure may help to minimize them. Drug manufacturers are required 

to list all known side effects of their products. 
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, 

and mouth sores are instances of side effects of cancer treatment 

that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effect. A 

hemorrhage from the use of too much anticoagulant (such as heparin) 

is a side effect caused by treatment going beyond the desired 

effect. As with all drugs, some people react badly to 

antidepressants, while side effects can seem quite mild in others. 

The irony here of course is that, helpful as antidepressants may be 

for some people at some times, these side effects can be very 

depressing in themselves.
Because no one antidepressant has been proven to be any more 

effective than any other, the choice of which drug to prescribe 

often rests on their different side effects.
Drowsiness or dizziness, possible addiction or dependence, dry 

mouth or urinary retention are some of the possible side effects of 

muscle relaxants.
Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in the treatment of acute low 

back pain in an attempt to improve the initial limitations in range 

of motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the pain-spasm-pain 

cycle. Limiting muscle spasm and improving range of motion will 

prepare the patient for therapeutic exercise. Muscle relaxants work 

by acting on the central nervous system. In the United States, they 

are available only with a physician's prescription. Some muscle 

relaxants are available in Canada without a prescription. Most come 

only in tablet form. However, methocarbamol (Robaxin) is available 

in both tablet and injectable forms. Examples of muscle relaxants 

are carisoprodol (Soma), chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC), 

cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and methocarbamol (Robaxin).
Muscle relaxants are usually prescribed along with rest, exercise, 

physical therapy, or other treatments. Although the drugs may 

provide relief, they should never be considered a substitute for 

these other forms of treatment. These drugs may make the injury 

feel so much better that one is tempted to go back to normal 

activity, but doing too much too soon can actually make the injury 

worse.
Other common side effects or muscle relaxants are vision changes, 

such as double vision or blurred vision; lightheadedness; 

drowsiness; and dry mouth. These problems usually go away as the 

body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. 

Side-effects of muscle relaxants increase the symptom that the drug 

was supposed to control. This may lead people to take ever more of 

a symptom-producing drug in an effort to control that symptom. 
Muscle relaxants may interact with some other medicines. When this 

happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the 

risk of side effects of muscle relaxants may be greater. Anyone who 

plans to take muscle relaxants should let the physician know all 

other medicines, including over-the-counter or nonprescription 

medicines, that he or she is taking.
Every medication contains chemicals that may cause side effects. 

Some side effects are physical, such as nausea or blurred vision, 

and some side effects affect mood and emotions. If someone has a 

mental disorder, why not check if medications cause the symptoms. 

List what medications are taken, and compare the medication history 

to the symptom history. Ask medical professionals about the side 

effects of any drugs that they prescribe for you or your family.


