What should you know about prescribed muscle relaxer?

Muscle relaxants are a group of medicines used for selected painful spasms, including some episodes of back muscle spasm. They do not repair a disc, ligament, joint, or muscle injury, and they may not be appropriate for every cramp or tight feeling. The exact effect and side effects depend on the medicine, dose, other health conditions, and medicines taken alongside it.

Sleepiness, dizziness, reduced concentration, weakness, nausea, or a dry mouth can occur. Alcohol, sedating medicines, and driving can increase safety concerns. Do not share the prescription, take extra doses, or stop a regular medicine suddenly without checking with the prescriber.

Read the label and confirm when to take each dose, whether it should be taken with food, and how long the course is intended to last. Tell the prescriber about pregnancy, liver or kidney disease, breathing problems, falls, sleep medicines, pain medicines, and alcohol use. Until you know how you respond, avoid driving, heights, and tasks needing quick reactions. Pair medicine with the movement or physiotherapy plan recommended for the underlying problem.

See [Back Muscle Spasm](/symptoms/back-muscle-spasm/) and [Muscle Cramps](/symptoms/muscle-cramps/) for symptom context.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, collapse, confusion, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe allergic reaction. Contact the prescriber about persistent vomiting, repeated falls, severe weakness, or side effects that prevent normal activity. Back spasm with new leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin needs urgent assessment rather than more medicine.

What is this medicine treating, and for how long should I use it? Which side effects are expected? Can I drive or work while taking it? Which medicines, supplements, or drinks should I avoid? What should I do if I miss a dose or the spasm returns?