Centrally acting muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants are prescription medicines used to ease painful muscle spasm and muscle stiffness. Centrally acting ones work on the brain and spinal cord rather than on the muscle itself. They commonly cause drowsiness and dizziness, so care is needed with driving and alcohol.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How do Centrally acting muscle relaxants work?
Centrally acting muscle relaxants calm the nerve signals from the brain and spinal cord that keep muscles tense. With less nerve drive, the muscles loosen and spasm and stiffness ease.
Active ingredients of this type
These active ingredients belong to Centrally acting muscle relaxants. They are listed A to Z.
- Tizanidine: Tizanidine is a prescription muscle relaxant used to relieve painful muscle spasm and muscle stiffness (spasticity).
Common questions
Do muscle relaxants make you sleepy?
Many do. Drowsiness and dizziness are common, so avoid driving or using machinery until you know how the medicine affects you, and avoid alcohol unless your doctor says otherwise.
Can a muscle relaxant be stopped suddenly?
Some should not be stopped suddenly after regular use, because rebound effects can occur. Do not stop on your own. Your doctor will lower the dose gradually if needed.
Are muscle relaxants painkillers?
No. They ease muscle spasm and stiffness, which may reduce pain from spasm, but they are not painkillers in the usual sense. A doctor decides whether one suits you.
Sources
- Tizanidine 2 mg tablets (Tizagelan): Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic medicines compendium (emc), UK
- Tizanidine. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: M03BX02 Tizanidine. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology