Medicines Used for Muscle spasm
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle that can be painful. It can follow a muscle strain or a spinal problem. Longer-lasting muscle stiffness, called spasticity, can come from nerve conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal injury, so a doctor should find the cause.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
Medicines used for Muscle spasm
These active ingredients are in medicines whose approved uses include Muscle spasm. Brands are listed A to Z, not ranked. A doctor or pharmacist decides which medicine is right for you.
Tizanidine
- Tizan 2 · 2 mg tablet
Common questions
What is the difference between muscle spasm and spasticity?
A spasm is a sudden, painful tightening of a muscle, often after strain. Spasticity is long-lasting stiffness caused by damage to the nerve pathways, for example in multiple sclerosis or after a spinal injury. A doctor can tell them apart.
When should I see a doctor for muscle spasm?
See a doctor if spasms are severe, keep returning, follow an injury, come with weakness or numbness, or have no obvious cause. Do not take a prescription muscle relaxant unless a doctor has prescribed it.
Do muscle relaxants treat the cause of the spasm?
No. They ease spasm and stiffness but do not treat the underlying cause. A doctor decides whether a muscle relaxant suits you, and the cause of the spasm may need its own care.
Sources
- Tizanidine 2 mg tablets (Tizagelan): Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic medicines compendium (emc), UK
- Tizanidine. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
