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Muscle Spasm

A muscle can tighten without warning and against your will, producing a spasm. The area may feel firm and sore, and normal movement can be difficult for a short time. The lower back, neck and legs are often involved.

Medicines used to treat Muscle Spasm

Robaxin

Methocarbamol

500mg

Robaxin contains methocarbamol in a tablet for back pain and muscle spasm. One strength and several pack sizes are supplied. You can compare the price per tablet across options.

FromUS$0.85/ tabletView

Skelaxin

Metaxalone

400mg

Skelaxin contains metaxalone in a tablet for muscle spasm and musculoskeletal pain. One strength and several pack sizes are supplied. Each option lists its price per tablet.

FromUS$1.70/ tabletView

Cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine

15mg

Cyclobenzaprine tablets contain cyclobenzaprine and are a muscle relaxant for short-term relief of muscle spasm. They come in one strength, in pack sizes. You can compare the price per tablet across options.

FromUS$1.56/ tabletView

Key points

  • Any skeletal muscle can spasm; the lower back, neck and legs are common sites.
  • Dehydration and overexertion are frequent triggers, as are prolonged sitting, poor posture, nerve compression, electrolyte imbalance and injury.
  • Rest, stretching, warmth and fluids often help; if needed, a short course of a centrally acting relaxant may be added with physiotherapy.

Triggers

Sweating in heat increases fluid loss, making dehydration likelier. Hours in one position put strain on the lower back and neck. A compressed nerve, disturbed electrolytes, injury or slumped posture can produce the same response.

Symptoms and treatment

The muscle becomes firm and painful, and movement is difficult until the contraction eases. Many episodes ease with rest, gentle stretching, local warmth and enough fluid. If self-care is not enough, relaxant medicines can act centrally to lower the muscle’s firing rate and relieve pain. They are usually used for a limited period with physiotherapy, not long term.

Options include Robaxin 500mg tablets (methocarbamol), Skelaxin 400mg tablets (metaxalone) and Cyclobenzaprine 15mg tablets. The active ingredients are methocarbamol, metaxalone and cyclobenzaprine. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

When to get help

Seek prompt assessment if a spasm comes with marked weakness, new inability to control the bladder or bowels, or follows a fall or spinal injury.

What the sources say

  • Severe muscle aches that limit daily life, or do not improve with rest and time, need a doctor’s review (Healthdirect).
  • Pain lasting beyond three months is chronic pain; a doctor should investigate the cause and arrange treatment (Healthdirect).
  • Pain across the whole body may signal another condition, such as an infection (Healthdirect).
  • Dystonia causes uncontrolled, sometimes painful spasms in one part or the whole body, can begin at any age and should be checked (NHS).

Further reading

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