Skeletal muscle relaxants are medications often used to relieve stiffness and pain related to various types of injury to muscle tissue, including strains and sprains. Skeletal muscle relaxants also may be used to treat neurological conditions associated with spasticity.

Physicians usually prescribe these drugs early in a patient’s treatment regimen. In most cases, they are intended to be used on a short-term basis only. Most skeletal muscle relaxants are taken in tablet form, but a prescription injection also is available.

Certain medical conditions may increase the likelihood of side effects associated with skeletal muscle relaxants. These include allergies, liver disease, kidney disease and history of drug dependency. Side effects associated with skeletal muscle relaxants include blurred vision, clumsiness or unsteadiness.

Patients should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. Drugs that may interact poorly when taken with skeletal muscle relaxants include alcohol, central nervous system depressants and tricyclic antidepressants. 

Formal studies involving pregnant women have not been conducted. Some muscle relaxants have been shown to pass into breast milk and to cause symptoms such as drowsiness and upset stomach in nursing babies. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are urged to consult their physician before taking skeletal muscle relaxants.