Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms of the neck, legs, back, jaw. List of the best, ointments for osteochondrosis, spinal hernia, bruxism

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of muscle tissue. In this case, the person notes the appearance of a rather strong, aching and sharp pain. This can happen after an injury. Painful sensations often remain for a long time. therefore the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants to relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Classification

Muscle relaxants are drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS), providing a relaxing effect. Thanks to this, the musculoskeletal system ceases to experience tension and the pain syndrome disappears, the usual mobility is restored.

However, it should be borne in mind that muscle relaxants do not represent a separate group of full-fledged medications. They are more sedative aids. A comprehensive approach is required for a complete treatment.

Means of this type are prescribed when severe pain in the back and muscles appears. However, the effect of a muscle relaxant is not on the inflammation focus itself, but on the brain center. Therefore, it is impossible to solve the problem of spasmodic pain only with the help of means of this type.

Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms are divided into several categories, depending on the area on which they affect:

• Central action. Such funds affect the first neurons responsible for motor function, which are located in the brain and also the spinal cord.
• Peripheral action. Drugs in this group affect neuromuscular synapses (they are located in the places where muscles connect to nerve endings), disrupting the chemical reactions taking place in them.

There are also drugs of the dipolarizing type and curariform muscle relaxants. They are not used very often. Usually the doctor prescribes centrally acting agents.

Also, funds of this type are classified based on their duration of action (neuromuscular block).

Validity period, min	The name of the active substances that have an effect
Less than 5-7	Suxamethonium iodide
Up to 20	Mivacurium chloride
Up to 40	Atracuria besilate, vecuronium bromide, rocuronium bromide.
40 to 60	Pipecuronium bromide, tubocurarine chloride.

Top 10 drugs from the pharmacy

Muscle relaxants allow you to balance muscle tone and relieve the patient from pain for a fairly long time. However, after this, unpleasant symptoms will reappear.

Therefore, it is worth considering the drugs that are most often included in complex treatment. In the presented list, the means are indicated, depending on their effectiveness and strength of action, starting with the weaker and safer ones.

Baclofen

This muscle relaxant belongs to the category of centrally acting agents. The drug is available in the form of tablets, each of which, in addition to the main component (baclofen), also contains magnesium sterate, lactose, talc.

The product costs about 350-400 rubles. It is prescribed for degenerative pathologies of the spine, severe spasms, head injuries. This drug is allowed to be taken by people suffering from alcohol dependence. Also Baclofen is prescribed for infantile cerebral palsy.

Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms, which include Baclofen, should not be taken by patients suffering from psychosis, epilepsy, and chronic renal failure. Also, the drug is very rarely prescribed to pregnant women and children.

If we talk about the side effects of the drug, then in addition to dizziness and headaches, Baclofen can also cause constipation, flatulence, and urinary problems. Some patients experience depression, confusion.

It is necessary to take the drug before meals. As a rule, the doctor prescribes 5 mg of Baclofen per day. Then every 3 days the dosage is increased by 5 mg. The maximum effect becomes noticeable when taking 100 mg of the drug per day.

Additionally, observation is required in a hospital setting. The doctor determines the final dosage depending on the effectiveness of the drug in each case.

If the patient suffers from hypersensitivity to the drug, then he may be prescribed 5-10 mg of Baclofen per day without increasing the dosage.

Also, the tool is allowed to be taken by children aged 2 years and older. In this case, the dosage is 10-20 mg / day. For children older, the amount of the drug is calculated depending on the patient's weight.

Baklosan

This remedy belongs to the category of centrally acting drugs. The drug is sold in pill form, dispensed with a doctor's prescription. The cost of the funds is about 260-300 rubles. The active ingredient is baclofen. As a rule, the agent reaches its maximum concentration several hours after taking the tablets.

This drug is prescribed for increased muscle tone caused by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord disease (such as a tumor or myelitis), cerebral palsy, or meningitis. The agent is quickly excreted from the body along with urine.

Muscle relaxant is designed to relieve muscle spasms, helps to quickly cope with pain. It helps with all types of back pain and is recommended for herniated discs. It starts with cervical osteochondrosis. Helps relieve muscle tightness.

Baklosan reduces the excitability of nerve cells that branch out from the spinal cord. Thanks to this, nerve impulses cease to be supplied, which provoke a painful syndrome in the joints.

You can also take the product with meals. In the initial stages, the drug is also prescribed in small doses, which are gradually increased. As a rule, adults need to take 5 mg of the drug three times a day. The dosage is doubled every 3 days.

Usually, the best therapeutic effect is observed at a dosage of 30 to 75 mg per day. However, you must take into account the maximum daily dose, which is 100 mg. Also, no more than 5 mg of the drug can be taken per day if the patient suffers from renal failure. The increase in dosage is also slower.

This tool is allowed for elderly people over the age of 65. However, in this case, the dosage is also increased at a lower intensity.

If we talk about the average daily dose, then for children aged 3-6 years, it is 20-30 mg / day. For patients aged 6-10 years, the dosage is doubled. For children from 10 years old, the daily dose is calculated taking into account the weight of the child, 2.5 mg per kg. It is impossible to abruptly cancel the drug, it is allowed only to gradually reduce the dose, which should take about two weeks.

Side effects are extremely rare and are manifested in the form of drowsiness, neurological disorders and hypotension.

The remedy is contraindicated for those who suffer from epileptic seizures, ulcers of the digestive system, pregnant women, patients with kidney disease.

Sirdalud

It is a centrally acting muscle relaxant prescribed for neurological diseases that are accompanied by muscle spasms. These pathologies include multiple sclerosis, spinal cord degeneration, and myelopathy.

In addition, Sidalud helps with herniated vertebral discs, fractures, osteochondrosis. Also, the remedy is effective in chronic diseases of the spine.

The drug is recommended for people who have just undergone surgery due to osteoarthritis of the hip joint or spinal hernia.

The drug is available in the form of tablets, capsules and injection solutions. The main active ingredient is tizanidine hydrochloride. The product costs about 400-550 rubles. The drug is dispensed only with a prescription from the attending physician.

Sirdalud is quickly absorbed into the walls of the stomach and completely excreted from the body in 2-4 hours. It can also be taken with food. This is one of the most effective drugs in the initial stage of osteochondrosis.

If we talk about dosage, then it should be borne in mind that this agent has a lot of concentration options, therefore, the exact dosage is determined by the doctor, depending on what is additionally taken a drug. However, at the initial stage, the dosage is usually 2 mg three times a day. This helps to reduce the likelihood of side effects.

If the patient has very painful muscle spasms, the doctor may double the dose. Additionally, with pronounced symptoms, patients take one tablet of the drug at bedtime. However, it should be borne in mind that in the presence of neurological diseases, no more than 6 mg of Sirdalud can be taken per day.

After that, once a week, the dosage is increased by about 2-4 mg. Usually, the greatest effect can be achieved when the patient begins to take up to 24 mg of Sirdalud per day.

If we talk about age restrictions, then this remedy is not recommended for people over 65 years old, since the effect of the drug on this age category has not yet been studied.

Same carefully you need to take the drug for those who have been diagnosed with renal failure. In this case, it is worth starting taking the drug with 2 mg once a day. The product is not recommended for people under 18 years of age.

Sirdalud is contraindicated in people suffering from hypersensitivity to the main component, as well as in some rare hereditary diseases. These include lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance.

This drug is not dangerous in case of overdose. Even when exceeding the allowable volume by 400 mg, all patients recovered successfully. As a rule, the excess of the drug is successfully removed from the body by taking activated charcoal.

Among the side effects, it is worth highlighting the appearance of drowsiness and dryness of the mucous membranes.

Tizanidine

This drug is also made on the basis of tizanidine hydrochloride. However, it costs much less than Sirdalud, about 130-150 rubles. This drug is highly effective.

Tizanidine helps to get rid of rather severe spasms, it is prescribed for the so-called radicular syndrome, convulsions. The product is suitable for daily use in order to relieve spasticity.

The drug is successfully used in children with cerebral palsy. The dosage is also prescribed by your doctor. The maximum effect becomes noticeable when the patient begins to take 12-24 mg / day. However, the daily dose should not exceed 36 mg.

Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms, which include Tizanidine, do not have pronounced side effects. In rare cases, patients complain of drowsiness, dizziness and dry mouth.

The drug is contraindicated in case of intolerance to the active substance, in acute liver diseases. Also, it should not be taken with drugs that have a sedative effect, since in this case the effect will only double.

Tizalud

This is another drug in which tizanidine hydrochloride is the main component. The remedy is prescribed for chronic diseases of the spine. Tizalud relieves spasms. It is often used when the patient's body is already accustomed to one drug and needs to be replaced with an analogue.

Also, the remedy is prescribed for patients suffering from osteochondrosis. The drug increases muscle tone, relieves cramps, improves muscle contractile function. Tizalud costs also within 150 rubles.

The tool has no side effects, except for cases of individual intolerance to the main component. Very rarely, patients experience nausea and vomiting, migraines and dizziness. In the event of a similar reaction, it is recommended to stop taking the drug. Same Tizalud should not be taken for liver diseases, during pregnancy and lactation.

If we talk about the dosage of the drug, then it depends on the intensity of the pain syndrome. For example, for painful skeletal muscle spasms, it is recommended to take 3-4 mg three times a day. If the pain syndrome is more severe, then you can additionally take another 2-4 mg of the drug before bedtime.

For neurological pathologies that provoke severe spasms, the dose may be increased to 60 mg / day. Also, as in the case of other similar drugs, the dosage of Tizalud is gradually increased. The visible effect becomes noticeable when taking 12-24 mg of the drug per day.

Mydocalm

This is another centrally acting muscle relaxant. The product is produced in the form of tablets, which are coated with a white shell. It is an effective drug that is prescribed for degenerative back diseases. Mydocalm is prescribed for painful muscle spasms, spondylosis, arthrosis and many other diseases.

Most patients notice a positive effect a few days after the start of taking the drug. The active component of the drug is tolperisone hydrochloride. It acts in a similar way to lidocaine, reducing the electrical activity of neurons responsible for motor function. The cost of Midocalm is about 350-400 rubles.

The tablets are well absorbed into the intestinal walls, the agent is quickly excreted from the body.

This drug is prescribed for adults and children from 3 years old. Pregnant women can only take it on the recommendation of a gynecologist. The drug is dispensed exclusively with a doctor's prescription.

It is necessary to take the product after meals with a little water. The dosage is selected on an individual basis and can range from 150 to 450 mg per day for an adult. For children 3-6 years old, the drug is prescribed at the rate of 5 mg per 1 kg of body weight. From 7 to 14 years old, the daily dose is 2-4 mg / kg.

The drug is contraindicated for those who suffer from hypersensitivity to the main component of the drug or additional additives. Also, Mydocalm is forbidden to be taken by pregnant women and during breastfeeding.

Ditilin

It is a short-acting depolarizing drug, the main component of which is suxamethonium iodide. The agent is administered as a solution intravenously or intramuscularly. It is immediately worth noting the very high cost of Ditilin, which is about 4600 rubles. This price is due to the effectiveness of the tool.

The drug stimulates blood flow in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. The remedy begins to work after 50 seconds, and after a few minutes, complete relaxation of the muscles occurs.

For such an effect, the dosage should be 0.2-1 mg per kg of patient weight. To achieve relaxation of skeletal muscles, a smaller dose is used to a lesser extent. For a longer effect, the procedure must be repeated.

Thanks to this tool, it becomes possible to establish proper muscle relaxation. The drug is allowed to be administered to children aged 1 year and older.

It is an effective remedy for seizures, tetanus. However, due to its strong action, the drug is contraindicated in myasthenia gravis, angle-closure glaucoma, pulmonary edema. Also, this remedy cannot be used if the patient suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, renal failure, bronchial asthma. Ditilin is prohibited for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)

It is an effective drug of medium duration, which also belongs to the muscle relaxants of the dipolarizing type. Available as a solution for intravenous injection. Some muscle relaxants can cause muscle twitching after administration, however, when taking Pancuronium, such phenomena are not observed.

The remedy begins to act in 1 min. after its introduction. This is one of the most potent drugs. However, one must take into account the rather high cost of the funds, which can go up to 2,000 rubles.

The injection dose is determined on an individual basis. As a rule, at the initial stage, an adult needs about 40-100 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Subsequent doses are reduced to 10-20 mg / kg. They are necessary to maintain the effect.

Since the remedy is very strong, it has a lot of contraindications.

For example, Pavulon should not be accepted by those who suffer from:

• bronchial cancer;
• tachycardia;
• electrolyte imbalance;
• hypothermia;
• poliomyelitis;
• violations in the work of the respiratory organs.

The drug is prohibited for pregnant women, and children are prescribed only in case of urgent need.

In addition, the remedy has a number of side effects. Quite often, after injections in patients, blood pressure rises (less often decreases), allergic reactions occur in the form of itching and redness. Breathing problems may appear. The drug is dispensed exclusively by prescription.

Carisoprodol

Muscle relaxants for relieving muscle spasms of peripheral action are highly effective. These include Carisoprodol. However, it should be borne in mind that the doctor prescribes such funds only for very severe manifestations of joint pain and muscle spasms.

Carisoprodol is a combination drug (available in tablets), in which, in addition to active substance is also present aspirin, non-steroidal components and narcotic analgesic. In this regard, the product is dispensed only by prescription.

In many countries, this drug is classified as a narcotic drug. Therefore, in no case should it be taken above the specified rate.

Otherwise, the patient may develop addiction. It is difficult to buy the drug in a regular pharmacy, so you have to order the drug from the USA, Germany and other countries. The cost of the drug is 6 600 rubles. (90 euros) for 30 tablets. It is very difficult to find analogues of this drug on the territory of the Russian Federation. The maximum correspondence in composition and action is only 50%.

Carisoprodol helps to cope with severe spasms against the background of complex pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

The drug is contraindicated in:

• pathologies of the liver or kidneys;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• provided that the patient is already taking sedatives.

Carisoprodol is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age. Also, it is strictly forbidden to take it simultaneously with alcoholic beverages and if a person suffers from dizziness, plans to drive a car or other moving mechanisms. Also, the remedy is categorically contraindicated for those patients who previously had alcohol or drug addiction.

It is necessary to take the tablets after meals with a glass of water. You can take no more than 1400 mg of the drug per day, which must be divided into 4 doses. A more accurate dosage regimen depends on the specific diagnosis and doctor's recommendations. The course of treatment with this drug is no more than 3 weeks.

Among the side effects of this remedy, it is worth noting the appearance of dizziness, insomnia (or vice versa, increased drowsiness), severe headaches. Some patients experience anxiety, severe irritability, and increased sweating.

Arduan

This non-depolarizing muscle relaxant is a lyophilisate (dry powder) that is used to prepare a solution, followed by its intravenous administration.

The cost of the funds is about 1,550 rubles. The drug is prescribed for endotracheal intubation, as well as for operations that require longer muscle relaxation. It is used in conjunction with anesthesia, the dosage is calculated strictly on an individual basis.

The drug allows you to control neuromuscular blockade. The product is recommended for use only for patients over 14 years of age. Arduan has the same contraindications as in the previous case. At home, such a remedy is usually not used.

The muscle relaxants that are used to relieve muscle spasms come in many different types. Some of them are allowed to be prescribed even to young children, while others can be addictive. Therefore, it is not worthwhile to independently prescribe a remedy of this type. In addition, the patient on his own will not be able to draw up a treatment plan and determine the optimal dosage.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

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