| Side effects are problems that occur when | | | | muscle relaxantsare carisoprodol (Soma), |
| treatment goes beyond thedesired effect or | | | | chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte |
| problems that occur in addition to the | | | | DSC),cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and |
| desiredtherapeutic effect. | | | | methocarbamol (Robaxin). |
| | | | |
| When side effects of necessary medication are | | | | Muscle relaxants are usually prescribed along |
| severe, sometimes asecond medication, | | | | with rest, exercise,physical therapy, or |
| lifestyle change, dietary change, or | | | | other treatments. Although the drugs |
| othermeasure may help to minimize them. Drug | | | | mayprovide relief, they should never be |
| manufacturers are requiredto list all known | | | | considered a substitute forthese other forms |
| side effects of their products. | | | | of treatment. These drugs may make the |
| | | | injuryfeel so much better that one is tempted |
| Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood | | | | to go back to normalactivity, but doing too |
| cell counts, hair loss,and mouth sores are | | | | much too soon can actually make the |
| instances of side effects of cancer | | | | injuryworse. |
| treatmentthat occur in addition to the | | | | |
| desired therapeutic effect. Ahemorrhage from | | | | Other common side effects or muscle relaxants |
| the use of too much anticoagulant (such as | | | | are vision changes,such as double vision or |
| heparin)is a side effect caused by treatment | | | | blurred vision; lightheadedness;drowsiness; |
| going beyond the desiredeffect. As with all | | | | and dry mouth. These problems usually go away |
| drugs, some people react badly | | | | as thebody adjusts to the drug and do not |
| toantidepressants, while side effects can | | | | require medical treatment. |
| seem quite mild in others. | | | | |
| | | | Side-effects of muscle relaxants increase the |
| The irony here of course is that, helpful as | | | | symptom that the drugwas supposed to control. |
| antidepressants may befor some people at some | | | | This may lead people to take ever more ofa |
| times, these side effects can be | | | | symptom-producing drug in an effort to |
| verydepressing in themselves. | | | | control that symptom. |
| | | | |
| Because no one antidepressant has been proven | | | | Muscle relaxants may interact with some other |
| to be any moreeffective than any other, the | | | | medicines. When thishappens, the effects of |
| choice of which drug to prescribeoften rests | | | | one or both of the drugs may change or |
| on their different side effects. | | | | therisk of side effects of muscle relaxants |
| | | | may be greater. Anyone whoplans to take |
| Drowsiness or dizziness, possible addiction | | | | muscle relaxants should let the physician |
| or dependence, drymouth or urinary retention | | | | know allother medicines, including |
| are some of the possible side effects | | | | over-the-counter or nonprescriptionmedicines, |
| ofmuscle relaxants. | | | | that he or she is taking. |
| | | | |
| Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in the | | | | Every medication contains chemicals that may |
| treatment of acute lowback pain in an attempt | | | | cause side effects. |
| to improve the initial limitations in rangeof | | | | |
| motion from muscle spasm and to interrupt the | | | | Some side effects are physical, such as |
| pain-spasm-paincycle. Limiting muscle spasm | | | | nausea or blurred vision,and some side |
| and improving range of motion willprepare the | | | | effects affect mood and emotions. If someone |
| patient for therapeutic exercise. Muscle | | | | has amental disorder, why not check if |
| relaxants workby acting on the central | | | | medications cause the symptoms. |
| nervous system. In the United States, theyare | | | | |
| available only with a physician's | | | | List what medications are taken, and compare |
| prescription. Some musclerelaxants are | | | | the medication historyto the symptom history. |
| available in Canada without a prescription. | | | | Ask medical professionals about the |
| Most comeonly in tablet form. However, | | | | sideeffects of any drugs that they prescribe |
| methocarbamol (Robaxin) is availablein both | | | | for you or your family. |
| tablet and injectable forms. Examples of | | | | |