Are you fed up with back pain and muscles pain? Have you had a long day of work and rest is not just enough? A simple answer for both questions is the muscle relaxant. It is going to get everything done in a little time. You will feel like having gone through a fast massage session The muscle relaxant has an ability to suppress the central nervous system. This in turn makes it very easy to override muscle spasm or pain. One of the famous muscle relaxants widely used is Chlorzoxazone.
Chlorzoxazone centrally acts to aid in relaxing and treating the discomfort caused by muscle spasms. This medicine could be taken along with rest or physical therapy. It acts by inhibiting the mechanisms of excessive muscle tone. Its major site of action is the spinal cord and subcortical areas (below the cortex) in brain.
Medications containing Chlorzoxazone also include either Ibuprofen or Paracetamol/Acetaminophen. Almost both Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can play the same role. The combination of Chlorzoxazone and Ibuprofen/Paracetamol is a great synergism. Ibuprofen, if you do remember, is an NSAID. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used mainly as analgesics for their powerful painkilling action.
The analgesic effect helps relieving the pain in muscles and joints. Chlorzoxazone and Ibuprofen together are a fast treatment for back pain. Moreover they are great for the skeletal muscles pain. Most of the time, lifting heavy weights and exerting exaggerated efforts lead to back pain.
The Chlorzoxazone Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen combination usage and indications
- Strains and sprains
- Muscle injuries
- Chronic low back pain
- Prolapse/protrusion of intervertebral disc
- Asymmetrical neck position or torticollis
Adverse effects
Over using of Chlorzoxazone has been reported rarely to be relevant to hepatocellular (liver) toxicity. The reason is still unknown and it’s unpredictable.
Due to Ibuprofen, like many NSAIDs, gastrointestinal disturbances may occur.
There other effects like dizziness, restlessness, and drowsiness.
Contraindications
Any kind of hypersensitivity to either Chlorzoxazone or Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen.
Taking other medications that may develop any kind of interactions.
Nothing reported due to Chlorzoxazone. However, this medication should not be used with Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Not recommended at all whilst both cases.
Precautions
NSAIDs, in this case, Ibuprofen, may increase the cardiovascular hazards. Some of them are the myocardial infarction, stroke, and thrombosis. The longer the usage period, the bigger the risks. C.V.S diseases patients should never take that medication.
The side effects on gastrointestinal tract include inflammation, bleeding, and ulceration. Also perforation of the stomach and intestine could occur. Perhaps, it’ fatal! This generally may result from excessive usage and not consulting a doctor/pharmacist.
Late warning signs are a major cause considering that issue. Warning signs would be fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. This medication must be stopped upon noticing any of the previous signs. The next step is to immediately consult a doctor.
■ Read: NSAIDs types, uses, and contraindications
Do not take Chlorzoxazone if you
- Drink alcohol
- Take Antihistamines (such as Cetirizine, Diphenhydramine)
- Take a medicament for sleeping or anxiety (such as Alprazolam, Diazepam, Zolpidem)
- Take other muscle relaxants and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine)
Have you ever experienced a persistent back pain? If your answer is yes, do share what you went through. If no, that’s great. Tell us about your ways to avoid such kinds of pains. At last, I hope the information provided in this article was useful and will help you overcome muscle pain. Feel free to ask and speak out your mind in the comments.