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Medications for Muscle Spasm (Involuntary Hypertonicity)

Other names: Charley horse; Spasms

Painful involuntary muscle contractions. Often seen in skeletal muscle after acute injury

Drugs used to treat Muscle Spasm

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
cyclobenzaprine 5.5 378 reviews for cyclobenzaprine to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx B N X
Generic name:
cyclobenzaprine systemic
Brand name:
Amrix
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
tizanidine 6.0 327 reviews for tizanidine to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
tizanidine systemic
Brand name:
Zanaflex
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
baclofen 6.1 180 reviews for baclofen to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Brand names:
Lioresal, Fleqsuvy, Gablofen, Lioresal Intrathecal, Lyvispah, Ozobax
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
methocarbamol 5.9 252 reviews for methocarbamol to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
methocarbamol systemic
Brand name:
Robaxin
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Soma 9.2 185 reviews for Soma to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C 4 X
Generic name:
carisoprodol systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zanaflex 7.4 104 reviews for Zanaflex to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
tizanidine systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
diazepam 8.6 168 reviews for diazepam to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Brand names:
Valium, Diazepam Intensol
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Robaxin 6.3 72 reviews for Robaxin to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
methocarbamol systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
carisoprodol 9.1 278 reviews for carisoprodol to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C 4 X
Generic name:
carisoprodol systemic
Brand name:
Soma
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Valium 8.7 54 reviews for Valium to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Skelaxin 7.7 65 reviews for Skelaxin to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx N N X
Generic name:
metaxalone systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amrix 6.9 32 reviews for Amrix to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx B N X
Generic name:
cyclobenzaprine systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Diazepam Intensol 9.8 4 reviews for Diazepam Intensol to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
diazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
metaxalone 7.1 96 reviews for metaxalone to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx N N X
Generic name:
metaxalone systemic
Brand names:
Skelaxin, Metaxall
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lioresal 7.8 7 reviews for Lioresal to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
orphenadrine 6.8 70 reviews for orphenadrine to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
orphenadrine systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
chlorzoxazone 6.7 60 reviews for chlorzoxazone to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx N N X
Generic name:
chlorzoxazone systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine 7.3 11 reviews for aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx N N X
Generic name:
aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine systemic
Brand name:
Orphengesic Forte
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxant combinations
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Fleqsuvy Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Gablofen Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lioresal Intrathecal 7.0 1 review for Lioresal Intrathecal to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lyvispah Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ozobax Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine 9.3 3 reviews for aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine to treat Muscle Spasm
Rx C 3 X
Generic name:
aspirin / carisoprodol / codeine systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxant combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
pentafluoropropane / tetrafluoroethane Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
pentafluoropropane / tetrafluoroethane topical
Brand name:
Gebauer's Spray and Stretch
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Muscle Spasm

Alternative treatments for Muscle Spasm

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Muscle Spasm. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Muscle Spasm.

Learn more about Muscle Spasm

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.