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Muscle relaxants are medicines that help muscles relax, thereby reducing pain and discomfort. Muscle relaxants are available only via prescription and are used to treat muscle spasms resulting from conditions affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. Muscle relaxants can cause mild to moderate sedation, impacting daily activities like driving. They can also cause muscle weakness, drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and dry mouth. Some muscle relaxants may cause liver damage, ranging from increased liver enzymes to severe liver toxicity. In rare cases, muscle relaxants may cause fever, especially when taken with certain other drugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle relaxers side effects | Sedation, confusion, urinary retention, memory problems, muscle weakness, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, constipation, blurred vision, nervousness, confusion, acid reflux, abdominal pain, seizures, abnormal heartbeats, stroke, heart attacks, heatstroke, withdrawal symptoms, etc. |
| Muscle relaxers causing fever | Dantrolene, a type of muscle relaxant, can cause a high temperature or fever. |
| Muscle relaxers causing severe fever | Cyclobenzaprine, when taken with certain other drugs, can cause high fever. |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle relaxers can cause liver damage
While muscle relaxers are prescription medications that can help treat symptoms like spasticity and muscle spasms, they can also have certain side effects. The common side effects of muscle relaxers include drowsiness and constipation. However, in rare cases, they can also cause serious health risks such as liver disease and liver damage.
Muscle relaxers are medicines that help muscles relax, which may also reduce pain and discomfort. Muscle relaxants are used to treat two different conditions: (1) spasticity from upper motor neuron syndromes, as occurs in multiple sclerosis, and (2) muscular pain or spasms from peripheral musculoskeletal diseases or injury, such as lower back pain. The different types and brands of skeletal muscle relaxers work in different ways to affect muscle function. Most muscle relaxers act as central nervous system depressants and cause a sedative effect, or prevent nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.
Some muscle relaxers can cause liver damage, and the extent of this damage depends on the medication. Liver injury can range from an increase in the levels of liver enzymes to severe liver toxicity. Agents that have been linked to clinically apparent acute liver injury include chlorzoxazone, dantrolene, and tizanidine. Cases of acute liver failure and death have been reported after chlorzoxazone and dantrolene therapy. Very rare instances of clinically significant liver injury have been reported with quinine and baclofen. In most cases, liver function returns to normal when the drug is stopped.
The potential side effects of muscle relaxers are related to their action of slowing down activity within the nervous system (central nervous system depression). Muscle relaxers can cause muscle weakness as a side effect. Other common side effects include baclofen—feeling sick, tiredness, drowsiness, problems with eyesight, weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, headache, dry mouth, breathing difficulties, aching muscles, sleeplessness or nightmares, feeling anxious or agitated, confusion, unsteadiness, increased need to pass urine, shakiness, increased sweating, and skin rash. The use of muscle relaxers in older adults carries a higher risk for side effects, such as sedation, confusion, urinary retention, or memory problems. Older adults are more likely to have impaired liver or kidney function, which can enhance the sedating side effects of muscle relaxers.
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They can increase the risk of sedation and impairment when mixed with alcohol or cannabis
Muscle relaxants are medicines that help muscles relax, reducing pain and discomfort. They are typically prescribed for muscle spasms, strains, sprains, or injuries. While muscle relaxants can be effective in managing pain, it's important to be aware of their potential side effects and interactions with other substances, such as alcohol or cannabis.
One notable risk associated with muscle relaxants is the increased danger of sedation and impairment when combined with alcohol or cannabis. This occurs because muscle relaxants, alcohol, and cannabis all have depressant effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Mixing these substances can amplify their individual impacts, leading to heightened sedation and impairment.
For instance, cyclobenzaprine, a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant, acts on the CNS to produce its muscle-relaxing effects. It can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. When mixed with alcohol, another CNS depressant, the effects of cyclobenzaprine are enhanced, increasing the risk of sedation and impairment. This combination can be dangerous, especially if individuals attempt to drive or operate machinery while under the influence.
Similarly, cannabis extract is also recognised as a muscle relaxant, working on the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. When combined with other muscle relaxants, the overall impact on the CNS is heightened, leading to increased sedation and impairment. This interaction can be particularly concerning for older adults, as their bodies may have a reduced capacity to process and clear medications, resulting in more intense side effects.
It is crucial to exercise caution and consult a doctor before mixing muscle relaxants with alcohol or cannabis. The risks of sedation and impairment can significantly impact an individual's ability to perform daily activities and operate vehicles or machinery safely. Additionally, the potential for addiction or dependence on muscle relaxants should not be overlooked, especially when combined with other substances.
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They can cause muscle weakness as a side effect
Muscle relaxers are medicines that help muscles relax, thereby reducing pain and discomfort. They are available only via prescription. Muscle relaxers include baclofen, diazepam, methocarbamol, tizanidine, and dantrolene. While dantrolene works directly on the muscle, the other muscle relaxants mentioned act on the central nervous system (CNS). Cyclobenzaprine, also known by its brand name Flexeril, is another muscle relaxant that acts on the CNS.
Most muscle relaxants cause muscle weakness as a side effect. Other common side effects of muscle relaxants include drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, sedation, confusion, and blurred vision. It is important to note that the use of muscle relaxers in older adults carries a higher risk of side effects, such as sedation, confusion, urinary retention, or memory problems.
The side effects of muscle relaxants are usually well-tolerated when used short-term and at recommended doses. However, it is crucial to consult a doctor if any bothersome side effects occur or persist. In addition, muscle relaxers can interact with other medications, such as alcohol, antidepressants, or narcotics, leading to potentially dangerous consequences. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking to ensure safe use.
While muscle relaxants can cause muscle weakness, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine if the muscle weakness is indeed caused by the medication and to explore possible alternatives or adjustments to the treatment plan.
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They can be addictive
Muscle relaxers are medications that can be used to treat spasms, spasticity, or pain. They are only available via prescription and work by causing the muscles to become less tense or stiff, which in turn reduces pain and discomfort. Muscle relaxers impact each person differently, and while some people may experience more side effects, others may have fewer or none.
Muscle relaxers have a potential for misuse and addiction, especially carisoprodol and diazepam. Prolonged use can lead to increased tolerance and physical dependence. As most muscle relaxers act as sedatives, some people take muscle relaxers alone or in combination with other drugs for non-medical reasons to produce or enhance feelings of euphoria and dissociation. The danger of becoming addicted to diazepam, carisoprodol, or other muscle relaxers is greatest among people who abuse the drugs. Some people who begin to take muscle relaxers for legitimate medical purposes may start to misuse them in an attempt to experience greater relief.
The side effects of muscle relaxers are usually well-tolerated when used short-term and at recommended doses. However, the body can develop a tolerance to certain muscle relaxers, and eventually, a higher dose will be needed to have the original effect. The use of muscle relaxers in older adults carries a higher risk of side effects such as sedation, confusion, urinary retention, or memory problems.
Withdrawal symptoms from muscle relaxers can include nausea, headache, drowsiness, malaise, and discomfort. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms may last for up to 1-2 weeks. If muscle relaxer addiction is accompanied by alcohol or opioid abuse, the withdrawal symptoms from these substances can be severe, and professional medical detox may be necessary.
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They can cause high fever
Muscle relaxants are medicines that help muscles relax, reducing pain and discomfort. They are available only via prescription and are used in conjunction with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments recommended by a doctor.
Muscle relaxants can cause a variety of side effects, including drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and nervousness. While most side effects are mild to moderate, some can be severe, such as abnormal heartbeats, stroke, heart attacks, and heatstroke.
Dantrolene, a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant, has been associated with a high temperature (fever) as a side effect. It is also known to cause a range of other side effects, including dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and breathing difficulties.
In addition, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), a fast-acting muscle relaxant, may also cause fever when taken in conjunction with certain other drugs. This combination can lead to a severe and potentially deadly condition called serotonin syndrome, which requires immediate medical attention.
It is important to consult a doctor if you experience any side effects from muscle relaxants, especially fever, as it could indicate a more serious issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle relaxants like Dantrolene can cause a high temperature or fever. Other common side effects include feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
Muscle relaxants like Baclofen, Diazepam, and Methocarbamol act on the central nervous system and can cause muscle weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and confusion. They are also associated with a higher risk of sedation, confusion, and memory problems in older adults.
Muscle relaxers can be addictive and are commonly abused for their calming, sedating, or euphoric effects. They can also cause liver damage, with the extent of injury varying depending on the medication. In addition, some muscle relaxers may cause severe side effects like seizures, abnormal heartbeats, stroke, heart attacks, and heatstroke.
