Low Back Pain and Sciatica and Muscle Relaxants

Common names include:

• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Diazepam (Valium)

Muscle relaxants help calm muscle spasms, therefore helping with the painful symptoms of lower back pain and sciatica. They may be ordered for short-term pain relief, but will not cure the pain. To help cure the pain, you'll probably need to make some lifestyle changes that will treat the underlying cause or reason for your back pain. Check our the low back pain and sciatica treatment page to see some of these natural treatment options.

Read more details about Muscle Relaxants.

Side effects

Some people complain of the following symptoms when using muscle relaxants:

• blurred vision
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• dizziness confusion
• lightheadedness, or lowered alertness

These side effects usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug drug. Some also experience clumsiness or unsteadiness.

Warnings

Because muscle relaxants work on the central nervous system, they may increase the effects of alcohol as well as other drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Anyone who takes muscle relaxants are advised against activities that might compromise their safety and performance, these include driving and operating machinery until they find out how the medication affect them.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend the long-term use of muscle relaxants.

Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• allergies

• kidney disease

• recent heart attack or irregular heartbeat

• overactive thyroid

• hepatitis or other liver problesms

• history of, or current drug or alcohol abuse

• glaucoma

• problems with urination