Download Muscle Relaxants Summarized – Consumer Reports Health

Muscle Relaxants:
What You Should Know
What are muscle relaxants?
Muscle relaxants are prescription drugs used to treat
muscles that are stiff and rigid (muscle spasticity)
or painful (muscle spasms). Each drug has different
ingredients, and each works in its own way.
Muscle spasticity is a condition in which the muscles
are stiff and rigid and make jerky movements. This is
the result of damage to parts of the brain or spinal cord
that control movement. The damage can be caused
by conditions such as cerebral palsy, MS, injury to the
spinal cord, or a stroke. Spasticity can be very painful,
keep you from going about your daily life normally,
and last a long time.
Muscles spasms cause pain when you move. The pain
comes from stress on the muscles and bones. It can
be caused by tension headaches, neck or back pain, or
fibromyalgia. Muscle spasms usually do not last very
long, but they can be very painful, and they can recur.
Which muscle relaxant is best for me?
You and your doctor will have to consider your condition and the benefits and risks of each drug. You may
have to try two or more drugs before you find one that
works for you. Studies do not show for sure that one
drug is better than another. And each person
reacts differently to different drugs.
Muscle relaxants cause side effects.
All muscle relaxants cause sedation—or a sleepy feeling
—in most people. This can be helpful if pain keeps you
awake. But it can be dangerous for pilots, drivers, and
people who operate machines. Other side effects vary
by drug and can include addiction, dizziness or lightheadedness, dry mouth, liver damage, and weakness.
Over-the-counter and nondrug treatments
may work as well.
For muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are not the first
therapy choice. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs,
such as ibuprofen (Advil and generic) and naproxen
(Aleve and generic), relieve pain and inflammation.
They may also help relieve pain that comes with stiff,
rigid muscles (spasticity). There are also nondrug
therapies, such as heat, chiropractic care, yoga, relaxation, and acupuncture, that can help. Talk to your doctor
about trying these before using a muscle relaxant.
Our advice:
We compared cost, safety, and how well muscle
relaxants work to treat muscle spasticity and muscle
spasms. We chose these as our Consumer Reports
Best Buy Drugs:
For muscle spasticity—generic baclofen.
If baclofen causes intolerable side effects, we recommend generic tizanidine. We do not recommend taking
dantrolene because of the risk of serious liver damage.
For muscle spasms—generic cyclobenzaprine.
If cyclobenzaprine does not work or causes intolerable
side effects, we recommend trying generic methocarbamol or chlorzoxazone. We do not recommend taking
carisoprodol (Soma) because of the
risk of abuse or addiction.
Each muscle relaxant has different ingredients
and each works in its own way. Ask your doctor
about the risks, benefits, and costs of each.
Muscle Relaxants: Drug Comparison Chart*
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs are in blue. We recommend these drugs because they work as well
and are as safe as the other drugs, and they cost less.
Our analysis is based on a scientific review by the Oregon Health and Science University-based
Drug Effectiveness Review Project. This is a summary of a longer, more detailed report you can find
at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org.
Best Generic Name & Strength
Brand Name A
Pills per Buy
Day B
Approved
Use
Average Cost per Month C
Baclofen 10 mg
Generic
Three
Spasticity
$27
Baclofen 20 mg
Generic
Three
Spasticity
$60
Carisoprodol 350 mg tablet
Generic
Three
Spasms
$11
Chlorzoxazone 500 mg tablet
Generic
Three – Four
Spasms
$8 – $11
Chlorzoxazone 500 mg tablet
Parafon Forte DSC
Three – Four
Spasms
$63 – $84
Cyclobenzaprine 5 mg tablet
Generic
Three
Spasms
$15
Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet
Generic
Three
Spasms
$8
Cyclobenzaprine 5 mg tablet
Flexeril
Three
Spasms
$42
Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg tablet
Flexeril
Three
Spasms
$42
Dantrolene 50 mg capsule
Dantrium
Three – Four
Spasticity
$165 – $220
Dantrolene 100 mg capsule
Dantrium
Three – Four
Spasticity
$231 – $308
Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet
Generic
Four
Spasms
$11
Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet
Robaxin
Four
Spasms
$56
Tizanidine 2 mg tablet
Generic
Three
Spasticity $81
Tizanidine 2 mg tablet
Zanaflex
Three
Spasticity
$195
* Due to space limitations, this chart does not list all muscle relaxants. For a more complete list, see the full report at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org.
A “Generic” indicates that this drug is sold under its generic name.
B Depending on your health conditions, symptoms, and response to the medicine, your doctor may adjust your dose to be either higher or lower than what is stated in this price chart.
C Prices are based on nationwide average retail prices for August 2009. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs obtained prices from data provided by Source Healthcare Analytics, LLC., which is not involved in our analysis or recommendations.
This series is produced by Consumer Reports and Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, a public information project supported by grants from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber
Education Grant Program which is funded by the multi-state settlement of consumer fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin. This brief should not be viewed as a
substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. It is provided to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it.