{"id":633579,"date":"2025-09-30T09:30:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633579"},"modified":"2025-09-24T16:36:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T20:36:06","slug":"do-muscle-relaxers-cause-constipation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/do-muscle-relaxers-cause-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"Do muscle relaxers cause constipation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a perfect world, over-the-counter and prescription medications and supplements would treat symptoms without causing any side effects. But in reality, most come with at least a few unwanted ones.<\/span> Common culprits include skeletal muscle relaxants<\/a>, which are<\/span> commonly prescribed for muscle spasms or back pain, and central nervous system (CNS) depressants like benzodiazepines,\u00a0 which are typically used for anxiety but also have muscle-relaxing effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Muscle relaxers<\/span><\/a> can also slow digestion. <\/span>Constipation<\/span><\/a> isn\u2019t the most common side effect, but it does occur. Here\u2019s why it happens and what you can do to keep things moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can muscle relaxers cause constipation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cConstipation is a side effect, but it is not a common side effect of taking muscle relaxants,\u201d says <\/span>Sandhya Shukla, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Atlantic Coast Gastroenterology Associates in New Jersey. \u201cIn the safety data, constipation is usually reported in 1% to 5% of patients using commonly prescribed muscle relaxants such as <\/span>cyclobenzaprine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>tizanidine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>methocarbamol<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>baclofen<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Dr. Shukla adds that there are other, more common gastrointestinal side effects of taking muscle relaxers, including <\/span>nausea<\/span><\/a> and indigestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do muscle relaxers cause constipation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are two types of muscle relaxers: antispasmodic medications (which are mostly used to treat muscle spasms and pain) and antispastic medications (which are mostly used to treat spasticity). These two classes of muscle relaxers work in slightly different ways but can both cause constipation. \u201cAntispasmodics relax the smooth muscle of the intestines and antispastics affect nerve signals and muscle tone, so either can reduce bowel movement activity,\u201d explains internist and gastroenterologist <\/span>Supriya Rao, MD<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Dr. Shukla says that constipation is much more frequently seen as a side effect of antispasmodics. \u201cAntispasmodics cause constipation primarily through their anticholinergic effects. Essentially, they reduce the movement of stool through your colon and slow transit in the GI system as a whole,\u201d she explains. <\/span>Anticholinergic<\/span><\/a> refers to the fact that the muscle relaxers block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from telling the muscles of the digestive system to contract and move food along, resulting in decreased motility. \u201cWhen the gut muscles are more relaxed than they should be, the stool sits longer in the colon, more water is absorbed, and bowel movements become harder and less frequent,\u201d Dr. Rao says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antispasmodic muscle relaxers include:<\/span><\/p>\n