Health Library Muscle Relaxants for Neck PainFrom Healthwise

Muscle relaxant medications affect the communication between the brain and the spinal cord (central nervous system). They act as sedatives, which most likely causes their muscle-relaxing effects.

Muscle relaxants may be helpful when severe muscle spasms follow the beginning of neck pain.

Muscle relaxants are commonly used to treat muscle spasms in neck pain. But there is little research on their use for neck pain. Muscle relaxants do work for some people with neck pain. Studies of people with back and neck pain found that cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) was better for pain than diazepam (Valium) or nothing.¹

Side effects include:

• Possible addiction or dependence.
• Drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Urinary retention.

These medications are best taken at bedtime. If you use one during waking hours, strictly avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing similar activities that could be dangerous to you or others if you become drowsy.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Muscle relaxants are recommended only for initial, short-term treatment of neck pain.

Valium and Soma are not recommended for use by:

• Pregnant women.
• Older adults.
• People who have depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Binder A (2005). Neck pain, search date May 2005. Online version of Clinical Evidence (14): 1–22.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: August 24, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
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