Is It Safe to Use Muscle Relaxers During Pregnancy?

A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, and those changes can be painful. Carrying a child might be difficult for some women already because of muscle stress and spasms. Inadequate amounts of electrolytes like magnesium or potassium, muscular and joint strain from carrying extra weight, and excessive dehydration can all contribute to such spasms. This raises a straightforward question: can women safely use muscle relaxers during pregnancy?

During each trimester, there are certain safety concerns related to muscle relaxants that we will explore in detail.

What Causes Back Spasms In Pregnant Women?

Several explanations attempt to shed light on why pregnant women are more likely to experience back spasms.

• Gaining weight is the first and most apparent cause. Gaining a lot of weight, particularly around the middle, is a common symptom of pregnancy. This causes the woman’s posture to change and moves her center of gravity.
• Back discomfort or spasms can be mistaken for the referred pain that occurs during uterine contractions. So, it’s possible that a woman may experience back pain because of the uterine contractions. Remember that a uterine contraction is a sign of premature labor.
• Many pregnant women mistake back spasms for sciatica, a painful condition that runs down each leg from the lower back via the hips.

You should find out whether sciatica nerve pain or uterine contractions are the cause of your back pain. That’s why it’s better to consult your doctor before using any muscle relaxants online.

What Are Muscle Relaxant?

A group of drugs known as muscle relaxants are effective in lowering levels of muscular tension, spasms, and tightness. To do their work effectively, they exert an effect on the CNS (central nervous system), which in turn influences the muscles or the nerves that regulate them. Conditions including strained or sprained muscles, tension headaches, and specific musculoskeletal problems are frequently treated with muscle relaxants. We will go over the topic of whether or not a pregnant woman should use muscle relaxants next.

Which Muscle Relaxants Are Safe To Use During Pregnancy?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer regarding the safety of using muscle relaxants during pregnancy; rather, it depends on the drug, the dosage, the length of time taken, and the exact stage of the pregnancy. Healthcare professionals typically advise against taking medications while pregnant, particularly during the first trimester when the baby’s organs are still developing.

On the other hand, there are cases where the benefits of using a muscle relaxant during pregnancy outweigh the risks involved. Among them are:

1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Acetaminophen is a popular choice for fever and pain relief, including muscle pain, but it is not typically used as a muscle relaxant. It is usually safe to use during pregnancy if taken as prescribed.

2. Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

The muscle relaxant methocarbamol is occasionally recommended to pregnant women for the short-term relief of muscle spasms. When used according to instructions, there is not much chance of harm to the fetus.

Moreover, there have been no animal studies conducted on the reproductive effects of methocarbamol. Unfortunately, methocarbamol has a history of causing birth defects in unborn children.

So, it’s better to consult your doctor before using this muscle relaxant.

3. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Cyclobenzaprine may be safe to take for brief periods of time during pregnancy if done so under a healthcare provider’s supervision. It may be useful in some situations. I t should be used with extreme caution.

Researchers have not found any signs of decreased fertility or injury to the fetus in rats, mice, and rabbits when exposed to cyclobenzaprine at dosages up to twenty times the human dose. The problem is that studies involving pregnant women are lacking in both quantity and quality. Do not use this medication during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary; trials on animals do not necessarily indicate how the drug will affect a human being.

4. Metaxalone

Although metaxalone is often recommended for musculoskeletal disorders like spasm etc. Metaxalone was found to have no negative effects on pregnancy in animal studies. However, there are gaps and limitations to this data. Additionally, there is a lack of information on the safety of metaxalone during human pregnancy, with just a small number of post marketing reports suggesting that it could be an option.

Metaxalone should be avoided in most circumstances due to the lack of information regarding its potential effects on unborn fetuses. Only take it if you truly believe that the benefits will exceed the risks involved.

5. Carisoprodol (Soma)

These muscle relaxants are prescribed for the treatment of acute muscle discomfort. Carisprodol has been found to have negative effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system, even in healthy individuals experiencing acute pain. The risk of drug dependence, withdrawal, and addiction increases with overdose.

No data is available on the use of SOMA during human pregnancy. Research on animals has shown that carisoprodol has negative effects on fetal development and postnatal survival once it passes the placenta. Meprobamate, the principal metabolite of carisoprodol, is a recognized sedative. Moreover, researchers found that babies whose mothers took SOMA had lower milk production and/or fewer effective feedings (since the drug sedated them). You can buy Soma muscle relaxant online from Safehealth247 pharmacy if your doctor just prescribes it for a brief period of time.

Which Muscle Relaxers Are Used During Pregnancy First Or Third Trimester?

When dealing with acute muscular spasms, many pregnant moms want to know if there are any muscle relaxants that are safe to use throughout the first or third trimester of pregnancy. Because the fetus is developing at such a rapid pace throughout the first trimester, the medicine decision becomes even more crucial. Even though there are advertisements that recommend soma muscle relaxants during pregnancy in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, there is a lack of solid evidence about their safety and effectiveness.

It can be tough to determine which muscle relaxants are safe to use during pregnancy because there is a lack of reliable data. The reason being, none of the muscle relaxants mentioned above have been tested on pregnant women or are safe for use during pregnancy. Muscle relaxants may cause unwanted side effects during pregnancy because even over-the-counter drugs have dosage limits.

Is There A Way To Reduce Spasms During Pregnancy With Natural Remedies?

So, what is the best way to lessen the severity or frequency of spasms during pregnancy?

• When you feel a spasm coming on, try applying some cold or heat to your lower back for no more than ten minutes.
• Massage and other forms of relaxation therapy can potentially have significant positive effects. Patients should make sure their massage therapist is qualified to work with pregnant women and has the necessary supplies before booking an appointment.
• Stretches can also help with spasms, but pregnant women should be careful. Keep it simple with a few reclining leg lifts. Excessive stretching of the back muscles might make the pain and spasms even worse.
• Physical therapists rely on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Women who are in labor have used TENS to ease their pain without any harm.

Having spasms when pregnant is common, but typically nothing to worry about. If you experience more severe or regular spasms, it is important to consult your doctor before using any muscle relaxants on your own.

Also Read: How To Find Immediate Relief For Sciatic Pain?

Bottom Line

It’s important to remember that spasms are frequent throughout pregnancy and that natural therapies are usually the best option. While it is possible to use muscle relaxants such as acetaminophen, or soma during pregnancy, it is important to do so only under the supervision of a medical professional. To further reduce the dangers to the woman and the newborn, medical professionals usually prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

So, consult your doctor before you buy muscle relaxant online.