What is the closest over the counter muscle relaxer?

Author: Titus Skiles PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

There are no over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxants in the United States. But some OTC medications can help muscle issues (like soreness), such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and acetaminophen.

What OTC is equivalent to a muscle relaxer?

Can you get muscle relaxers over the counter? No, you need a prescription for muscle relaxers. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), work better for neck and back pain than muscle relaxants alone.

What is the strongest muscle relaxer you can get over-the-counter?

Strongest over-the-counter muscle relaxer

Naproxen (Aleve) is one of the strongest OTC medications for muscle pain, cramps, and spasms. Its effects last for 8-12 hours compared to ibuprofen, which typically lasts 4-6 hours.

What is the strongest over-the-counter muscle pain reliever?

Naproxen. Naproxen (Aleve) is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis. Naproxen usually lasts longer than other over-the-counter pain relievers.

Is there a supplement that works like a muscle relaxer?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil

Some people use CBD oil to help treat chronic pain, including muscle pain. Research suggests that it may work as a muscle relaxer, and some people use it for this purpose .

Is there a good over the counter muscle relaxer?

What is a homemade muscle relaxer?

Best muscle relaxant herbs to ease pain include chamomile, lavender, arnica, valerian root, and peppermint. Chamomile tea contains thirty-six flavonoids with anti-inflammatory properties that soothe contracted muscles. Lavender oil reduces pain and inflammation through direct application to affected areas.

Can you buy naproxen 500 mg over the counter?

Children under age 18 years should not take aspirin due to a risk for Reye syndrome. Some NSAIDs can be bought over the counter, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

What is best for extreme muscle pain?

Self-care
  • Rest. Take a break from your usual activities. ...
  • Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the sore area for 20 minutes three times a day.
  • Compression. Use a stretchable bandage, sleeve or wrap to lessen swelling and provide support.
  • Elevation.

Do over-the-counter muscle relaxers exist?

No muscle relaxers are available over the counter in the U.S., but some OTC medications can have muscle-relaxing effects. These include guaifenesin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. What are the top 5 muscle relaxers? Muscle relaxers work to alleviate muscle spasms and pain.

Is Mucinex a muscle relaxant?

There is one OTC drug product that is sometimes used off-label (without FDA approval) as a muscle relaxant, and that is guaifenesin. This is the active ingredient in expectorant products such as the brand-name Mucinex.

What is the fastest muscle relaxant?

Traditionally succinylcholine has been the most commonly used muscle relaxant for this purpose because of its fast onset and short duration; unfortunately, it can have serious side effects.

What can I buy over-the-counter for a muscle relaxer?

There are no over-the-counter (OTC) muscle relaxants in the United States. But some OTC medications can help muscle issues (like soreness), such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and acetaminophen.

What OTC medicine can I take for muscle relaxant?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy without a prescription. Some OTC medicines relieve aches, pains, and itches. Some prevent or cure diseases, like tooth decay and athlete's foot. Others help manage recurring problems, like migraines and allergies.

How do you get instant relief from muscle pain?

Home treatments for muscle pain relief
  1. Rest. If you've overused or strained your muscles, it means there are small tears in the fibers that need to heal. ...
  2. Gentle stretching. ...
  3. Massage. ...
  4. Cold therapy. ...
  5. Heat therapy. ...
  6. OTC medications. ...
  7. Topical treatments.

Does BioFreeze relax tight muscles?

Unlike medications and surgical procedures, it relieves pain naturally for conditions such as overworked muscles, chronic back pain, or arthritis. BioFreeze penetrates the skin quickly and targets the joints to ease the pain through cold therapy.

What is the best painkiller for severe muscle pain?

Muscle pain
  • Voltarol max strength pain relief 2.32% gel. ...
  • Paracetamol 500mg effervescent tablets 24's (24 Effervescent Tablets) ...
  • Voltarol osteoarthritis joint pain relief 1.16% gel. ...
  • Panadol night 500mg/25mg paracetamol + diphenhydramine tablets (20 tablets) ...
  • Nurofen pain relief 200mg medicated plaster 2 pack (1 unit)

Is naproxen a painkiller or muscle relaxer?

Is naproxen a muscle relaxer or pain killer? Naproxen is not technically a muscle relaxer; it is a pain medication and also helps with inflammation. Some popular muscle relaxers include Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) or Skelaxin (metaxalone).

Is naproxen 500 stronger than oxycodone?

Conclusions. Paracetamol/CR oxycodone and paracetamol/naproxen are equally effective in treatment of acute postoperative pain at home after ambulatory surgery with comparable patient satisfaction level.

Do Walgreens sell naproxen?

Walgreens All Day Pain Relief, Naproxen Sodium Tablets, 50.0 ea. to unlock savings and earn myWalgreens cash rewards on every purchase.

What's the closest thing to a muscle relaxer?

“Over-the-counter medicines like NSAIDs and naproxen can still provide muscle-relaxing effects, such as relief from muscle tension pain,” says Dr. Edwards. “They're often the first line of defense when treating acute muscle pain.”

How to get rid of old age aches and pains?

Use safe and effective pain management methods

In addition to routine aerobic exercise, try gentle stretching, yoga or a muscle massage. Muscular pain responds well to heat, whereas joint pain responds better to ice.

What to take for tight muscles?

5 Ways to Ease Sore Muscles
  • Acetaminophen. Skip ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. ...
  • Stretching—after a warm up. Limbering up relaxes and lengthens tight muscles, says Edelstein. ...
  • Heat therapy. Warm temps can increase blood flow to sore muscles big time, says Edelstein.

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