How Long Does It Take for Muscle Relaxers to Start Working?|Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Sleepy?

Whether you have a back or a neck pain or you are dealing with some other acute pains that cause muscles spasms, your doctor will mostly prescribe you some muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxers are the group of medications that relieves the pain and discomfort from muscles spams and spasticity.

Generally, the muscles relaxers medications are of two types – Antispasmodic and Antiseptic. An antispasmodic is used to treat muscle spasms, while antiseptic relaxants are used to treat spasticity due to a neurological condition.

How Long does it Take for Muscle Relaxers to Start Working?

How Long does it Take for Muscle Relaxers to Start Working?

All muscles relaxers usually begin working in about half an hour after it is ingested, relaxing muscles and relieving muscle spasms. The peak efficacy is usually around 2-4 hours. When a muscle relaxer is released in the body, it disintegrates into small fragments, is absorbed in the blood and it circulates around the site of the action. The whole process takes 30 minutes of time to show results. The effects of muscle relaxers last up to 12 hours. If one does not get relief from a muscle relaxer, they must contact the doctor. It might be that the person needs a stronger and effective dosage that not only relaxes the muscles but also reduces the pain. However, do not self-medicate.

Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Sleepy?

Scientifically, most muscles relaxants don’t work directly on your muscles. Rather, first they work on the nervous system to make the muscles relax and it causes sleepiness and tiredness, but it doesn’t hurt your brain and spine. If you are a worker and don’t need to take muscles relaxant round the clock, then it is suggested to take them in the early evening, so that you get a relaxed night sleep. If a person has taken a muscle relaxant at 10 p.m., whose effect last for 12 hours, it is not advisable to drive to office before 10 a.m. A short-acting muscle relaxant medicine may be better in these situations. Hence, the type and dose of medicine that one can take depends on a number of factors and thus, one must consult a doctor before starting any medicine.

If your medicines make you tried, don’t stop taking it. You can try other ways to boost energy:

  • Do some exercise like stretching and walking
  • Drink a little bit of caffeine, like coffee or tea
  • Take deep breaths
  • Drink water
  • Take a healthy diet
  • Eat sugary food.

Avoid taking over-the-counter medicines and always ask your doctor if you can take any specific muscle relaxer that will not make you drowsy. This is because it’s important to make sure it won’t affect any other medications you’re taking.

Side Effects of Muscle Relaxer

Muscles relaxants cause many side effects and hence one must be cautious while taking it. Everybody who takes a muscle relaxant encounters at least one of these impacts, and many experiences all:

  • Drowsiness/sleepy
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Depressed mood
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Yellowing of the eyes
  • Fainting
  • Trouble sleeping.

It is good to keep in mind that muscles relaxants are just one part of pain control. To keep your body away from the pain thoroughly, take rest, do exercise, eat anti-inflammatory food and walk. Staying active and fit can prevent a lot of muscle pain.

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:May 23, 2020

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