What should you know about boots muscle relaxant?

Some medicines described this way require a prescription, while others may be products for pain relief rather than true muscle-relaxing medicines. Use the name and strength printed on the box when asking a pharmacist for guidance.

These medicines may be used for selected episodes of painful muscle spasm, but they do not correct every cause of cramping or back pain. Treatment may also involve keeping gently active, changing aggravating tasks, applying heat when suitable, or physiotherapy. A clinician may need to distinguish spasm from nerve irritation, injury, circulation problems or a medicine-related symptom.

Check the active ingredient, strength, dose interval and expiry date. Tell the pharmacist about pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney problems, glaucoma, urinary difficulty and every medicine or supplement you take. Avoid alcohol, and do not drive or operate machinery if the medicine makes you sleepy, dizzy, weak or less alert. Never share it or combine products merely because their brand names differ.

Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, collapse, severe confusion, inability to wake, or swelling of the face or tongue. Urgent assessment is also appropriate when back pain occurs with new bladder or bowel control problems, numbness around the groin, marked leg weakness, fever, or major trauma. Contact a clinician if spasms keep returning, worsen, or persist despite the advised treatment.

Ask what is likely causing the spasm, how the medicine should help, which side effects would require stopping it, and whether it clashes with painkillers, antihistamines, sleeping tablets or other sedating medicines. Clarify how and when to return to normal activity.