Key takeaways
Prescription muscle relaxers, required for more serious conditions, can cause significant side effects like drowsiness and dizziness and are not a universal solution to all muscle-related issues.
Muscle relaxers are not available over the counter (OTC) in the U.S., but some OTC medications can provide relief from muscle spasms and pain.
While OTC options can offer temporary relief, more severe or persistent issues require medical attention and potentially a prescription muscle relaxer.
Muscle relaxers are used to reduce pain, stiffness, and tension caused by muscle spasms. Muscle relaxers are prescription-only in the U.S., but if you wake up one morning with muscle pain, there may be some over-the-counter (OTC) options to help you.
Options for muscle pain relief at a glance |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Available OTC? | Muscle relaxer? | May help with |
| Ibuprofen | Yes | No | Muscle pain, inflammation |
| Naproxen | Yes | No | Muscle pain, inflammation |
| Acetaminophen | Yes | No | Pain |
| Prescription muscle relaxers | No | Yes | Moderate-to-severe muscle spasms |
Can you get muscle relaxers over the counter?
There are no medications with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indication for muscle relaxation available over the counter in the U.S. However, OTC pain relievers may help relieve muscle pain caused by strains or minor injuries.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help decrease the inflammation and pain associated with muscle injuries. There are both oral NSAIDs, such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), as well as topical NSAIDs like Voltaren Arthritis Pain (diclofenac). Pain relievers like acetaminophen can help with pain (but not inflammation). There are also other topical OTC medicines such as lidocaine patches and creams, which can help numb the painful area.
These OTC medicines can provide some immediate relief for many ailments, but if the relief is not adequate, you may still need medical attention. Sometimes, there can be a more serious underlying condition, such as a spinal cord injury.
Prescription muscle relaxers
If your healthcare provider determines you need a muscle relaxer, they will likely prescribe a prescription-only muscle relaxer. There are different types of prescription muscle relaxers, which generally work on one of two types of muscle conditions: spasticity or spasms. Spasticity refers to how stiff or rigid the muscles are and is typically a long-term or permanent condition due to disorders such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Spasms are a more temporary condition related to an acute injury or event. Common muscle relaxers include cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, Robaxin (methocarbamol), and Zanaflex (tizanidine).
What helps muscle spasms besides muscle relaxers?
Home remedies and other measures can help reduce the pain and discomfort of muscle spasms. Here are some things you can try:
- Rest – avoid doing things that make the pain worse
- Gently stretch or massage the area
- Apply ice to help reduce pain and inflammation
- Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated
- Ask your healthcare provider if you should try physical therapy
- Use an over-the-counter pain medicine (check with a healthcare provider before using)
What are the benefits of OTC muscle relaxers?
While there are no approved OTC muscle relaxers, you may find sufficient pain relief by taking drugs such as NSAIDs or Tylenol (acetaminophen). This will likely only be the case for mild, short-term irritations to the muscle. Drugs like NSAIDs and Tylenol are easy to access without a prescription and have minimal side effects when taken as directed. While all drugs have potential side effects, dizziness and drowsiness are less of a concern with NSAIDs and Tylenol when compared to prescription muscle relaxers.
Side effects and risks of OTC muscle relaxers
There are no FDA-approved OTC muscle relaxers, but using OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen may cause side effects such as stomach upset and nausea. And even when using an OTC drug, it’s best to check with a healthcare provider first because not every drug is suitable for everyone. For example, people with a history of stomach ulcers may need to avoid NSAIDs.
Prescription muscle relaxers tend to cause side effects like drowsiness and dizziness.
OTC pain relievers vs. prescription muscle relaxers |
|
|---|---|
| OTC options | Prescription muscle relaxers |
| Best for mild muscle pain or strains | Best for significant muscle spasms or certain neurological conditions |
| May help relieve mild muscle pain and inflammation | Help relax muscles and reduce spasms |
| Available over the counter | Require a prescription from a healthcare provider |
| Generally less likely to cause drowsiness | Drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects |
| May be enough for minor injuries | May be recommended if OTC treatments don’t provide relief |
When should you see a healthcare provider for muscle pain?
Sometimes, muscle pain can be managed with OTC pain medicines and ice. Other times, you may need to consult a healthcare provider for medical advice. You should call your provider if:
- Your muscle spasms are very painful, frequent, or persist for more than one week
- You have swelling, numbness, or skin changes
- You have muscle cramps that wake you up at night
- You have a fever
If you have unbearable pain, muscle cramps throughout your body, or loss of bowel or bladder control, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The bottom line
While there are no approved OTC muscle relaxers, drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be able to provide relief from mild muscle pain or spasms. However, if your spasms and pain are more serious and long-lasting, you should speak to your prescriber to see if prescription drugs would be a better option. Use caution with these treatments because they can cause significant drowsiness and impair your driving ability.
Your medical provider can help you make the best choice for you. Be sure to let them know of all medications you are already taking and of any medical conditions you have been diagnosed with. Whether they recommend prescription or OTC relief for muscle pain, be sure to visit SingleCare.com or use the SingleCare app for the best pricing available.
RELATED: Can I use a prescription savings card for over-the-counter (OTC) medications?
Frequently asked questions
Is there an over-the-counter muscle relaxer?
There are no FDA-approved OTC muscle relaxers, but certain OTC medicines, such as Motrin (ibuprofen), may help with muscle pain. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you select an appropriate OTC product for your condition.
What is the closest thing to an OTC muscle relaxer?
Muscle relaxers are only available by prescription, and there are no similar alternatives over the counter. However, there are many OTC products that can help reduce muscle pain, such as oral ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or topical diclofenac or lidocaine.
Does Mucinex work as a muscle relaxer?
A small 2017 study reported that high doses of guaifenesin (the active ingredient in Mucinex) may have some potential to reduce upper back muscle pain. However, there have been no recent studies to confirm this, and guaifenesin is not FDA-approved for this use.
- Efficacy and safety of guaifenesin for upper back, neck, and shoulder pain: A Phase II proof-of-concept, multicenter, placebo-controlled, repeat-dose, parallel-group study, J Pain Res (2017)
- Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low back pain, P.T. (2014)
- List of Muscle Relaxers, Drugs.com (2023)
- Patterns of medical cannabis use among patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Mult Scler Relat Disor (2021)
- List of muscle relaxants: Uses, common brands, and safety information, SingleCare (2022)
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