Romford and Ilford Chiropractic Clinic

1. Muscle Relaxers – what are the side effects?
313 High Road Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex RM6 6AX
Tel: 0208 252 1010 or 0208 262 3140
www.chiropracticcare.co.uk
Muscle relaxers are regularly prescribed by doctors to treat muscle spasm and muscle pain – most commonly
low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches and other pain syndromes. Muscle relaxers are
typically combined with other medication to ensure pain relief is provided, hence those prescribed a muscle
relaxer need to be aware of their options and the side effects associated with each type recommended.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that muscle relaxers do not heal the
problem or the cause of pain; research shows that they are in fact only 10% effective in
providing short-term symptomatic pain relief. Moreover, muscle relaxers can be addictive
and those that take them can experience negative side effects, including physical body
symptoms, impaired thinking and functioning, risk of addiction and possible dangerous
interactions with other medication.
Physical Side Effects
As with virtually all medication, there are numerous possible side effects from taking
muscle relaxers. These include an upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. Some brands
may cause an unpleasant taste or dry mouth.
Impaired Thinking and Functioning
One extreme risk in regards to taking muscle relaxers is that they can impair your thinking
and functioning. It is very common to feel drowsy, lightheaded, unsteady on your feet or less
alert than normal. Impaired eyesight, thought process and decision-making are common. As
a result, it is strongly advised to avoid driving or operating machinery while taking muscle
relaxers.
Risk of Addiction
In the United States, muscle relaxers require a prescription, as they are a commonly abused
substance. Those with a history of drug or alcohol addiction should not use muscle relaxers
and they should never be mixed with alcohol. As a result of the pain relief this medication
can provide, they can become addictive to those in chronic pain. Once the body becomes
used to a daily intake of a specific muscle relaxer, it can become dependent on it to
function, with one likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them.
Moreover, research shows that approximately 450 people die in the UK each year from
cirrhosis of the liver, often caused after years of drug abuse.

2. Muscle Relaxers – what are the side effects?
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Possible Drug Interactions
As with all medication, there is a risk of interaction with other medication one is taking. When mixed with
some types of medication, the efficacy of muscle relaxers can increase, making the drug dangerous. In
women, for example, some muscle relaxers can interact with oestrogen supplements. Some of these drug
interactions may be life threatening, and therefore a doctor should always be consulted before taking any new
medication.
Tizanidine and Zanaflax
Tizanidine and Zanaflex are common muscle relaxants that are normally given for short-term treatment of
muscle pain and discomfort. These drugs works by blocking the nerve impulses responsible for sending pain
signals to the brain. These drugs should not be taken in conjunction with fluvoxamine, an antidepressant, or
ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic. Patients should report any history of kidney disease, high or low blood pressure
before taking Tizanidine and Zanaflax. Possible side effects of these drugs include drowsiness, numbness
and tingling, dizziness, fever, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dry mouth, back pain, muscle weakness,
sweating, skin rash and increased muscle spasms. Seek medical attention for light-headedness,
hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behaviour, confusion, fainting, burning or pain while urinating, nausea,
fever, stomach pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, slow heart rate and clay-
coloured stools.
Muscle relaxers versus chiropractic care for low back pain
American Family Physician reports that low back pain affects nearly six percent of
Americans every day and leads to more physician visits than any other condition after
upper respiratory infection. Although muscle relaxants are considered by doctors as a
first-line treatment for the management of back pain, they have not been shown to be
any more effective than paracetamol or ibuprofen. Furthermore, studies have not proven
any one muscle relaxant to be more effective than any other.
However, as stated, muscle relaxers do not treat the cause of pain. They may temporarily treat the symptoms
while simultaneously putting your health at great risk, hence they need to be used with caution. Numerous
research studies show that chiropractic care should be the first line of treatment for back pain as chiropractic
adjustment is more beneficial for back pain than taking muscle relaxants. Research shows that patients that
take muscle relaxants return to their ability to perform daily activities more slowly than patients who do not
take them. Moreover, chiropractic care has been shown to have the lowest risk of side effects with the highest
patient satisfaction when treating back pain. As chiropractic care addresses the cause of pain, not just the
symptoms, long-term pain reduction can be sought that allows patients to regain a normal lifestyle that lasts
while not jeopardising their health in the process.
It is reported that more than 7000 people die in the UK every year due to reactions to prescribed drugs, with
around 50,000 needing hospital care. Furthermore, those suffering from disc bulges, protrusions and slipped
discs are likely to experience worse symptoms when taking muscle relaxers as the muscle spasm helps holds
people upright and hence prevents further tearing of the misaligned disc. As muscle relaxers reduce the
muscle spasm, the misaligned disc is therefore likely to undergo further damage. Chiropractors advise putting
ice on acute pain, such as a disc bulge, in conjunction with receiving regular care and undertaking specific
spinal exercises – suffering from a possible ice burn is far safer than putting your health at risk by taking a
muscle relaxer.
References:
Cerner Multum: Tizanidine (www.drugs.com/tizanidine.html)
www.livestrong.com
www.mountainviewpaincenter.com/back-pain-chiropractic-manipulation-vs-muscle-relaxants/
www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Randomized_Clinical_Trial_Comparing_Chiropractic_Adjustments.shtml