Myorelaxant: All you need to know about muscle relaxants and precautions to take

Muscle relaxants play a key role in relieving muscle and joint pain. These drugs work by relaxing muscle fibers, which can help relieve painful symptoms of conditions such as cramps, contractures or even more severe conditions like cervical osteoarthritis or low back pain.

The active ingredient in muscle relaxants varies according to the type of drug; some may contain anti-inflammatory substances to reduce inflammation, while others act directly on the nervous system to attenuate involuntary muscle contraction. It's vital to understand that, despite their effectiveness, muscle relaxants can have side effects and must be used with care, often on prescription.

Patients must be informed of the risks (snoring and others) and benefits associated with their use, for optimal and safe relief of muscle pain.

How do muscle relaxants affect the body?

Muscle relaxants are a class of drugs often prescribed to relieve painful muscle aches and spasms. But how exactly do they work? Essentially, these drugs work by reducing tension in the muscles, thereby relieving pain and improving mobility. They can act in different ways, some directly targeting skeletal muscles, while others exert their relaxing effect indirectly via the central nervous system.

It's important to note that, although effective, muscle relaxants can also have undesirable side effects and should only be used under strict medical supervision. They are often prescribed for cases of low back pain and torticollis or other types of muscular pain, always as part of an overall treatment including rest, physiotherapy and, if necessary, other analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Muscle relaxants and the central nervous system

Muscle relaxants that act on the central nervous system, such as Baclofen or Tizanidine, can be particularly effective in treating muscle spasms associated with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or after spinal cord injury.

These drugs work by inhibiting the nerve signals that cause excessive muscle contractions. However, they can also affect other parts of the nervous system, which can lead to side effects such as drowsiness or muscle weakness. It is therefore crucial to follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor to minimize these risks.

Potential side effects

Although muscle relaxants can bring significant relief, they are not without side effects. Among the most common are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes headaches. Some muscle relaxants can also cause a drop in blood pressure or a slowing of heart rate.

For people with kidney or liver problems, caution is advised, as these drugs are mainly metabolized by these organs. In addition, the use of muscle relaxants should always be supervised by a healthcare professional to avoid dangerous drug interactions, and their use should be adjusted according to the patient's age and general condition.

Muscle relaxants and sleep: a beneficial link?

The use of powerful muscle relaxants, such as the muscle relaxant drug Decontractyl, can potentially improve sleep quality by soothing contracted muscles and reducing spasms that may occur during the night, especially in conditions such as low back pain, cervical osteoarthritis or lumbago. Studies have shown that muscle relaxation can promote deeper, less interrupted sleep, contributing to better recovery and a feeling of rest when you wake up.

However, it's crucial to stress that muscle relaxants should not be considered as a first-line solution for sleep disorders, as they may carry side effects such as daytime sleepiness or dependence. In addition, prescription muscle relaxants must be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure safe and appropriate use.

There are solutions for sleep apnea, such as the intranasal orthosis Back2Sleep intranasal brace.

Benefits of muscle relaxants for sleep

The benefits of muscle relaxants in the sleep context lie mainly in their ability to relax muscles and relieve tension. This muscle relaxation can help soothe muscle contractures and sleep-interfering pain, such as backache or nocturnal muscle cramps.

For example, applying a muscle relaxant cream to a painful area before bedtime can help you fall asleep more quickly, and reduce the number of night-time awakenings caused by pain. The relaxing effect of a muscle relaxant can therefore be considered a secondary benefit for sleep quality.

Precautions for night-time use

When considering the use of muscle relaxants to improve sleep, several precautions must be taken. It is important to consult a physician to obtain a proper prescription and to ensure that the muscle relaxant medication is appropriate for your specific situation. Muscle relaxants can interact with other drugs and are not indicated for everyone, including pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions.

You should also be aware of side effects such as daytime drowsiness, which can affect alertness and the ability to drive or operate machinery. Finally, it is advisable not to consume alcohol while taking muscle relaxants, as this can exacerbate the sedative effects and increase the risk of side effects.