What over the counter medicine helps with muscle spasms

Cramps are sudden, painful, involuntary spasms or contractions in one or more muscles. Anyone can experience cramps, which may cause mild to severe pain.

A person may experience cramps for various reasons, and the best medication may differ according to the cause and severity of the cramps.

This article discusses what cramps are, medication for cramps according to their type and cause, and other treatments.

A cramp is a sharp pain that occurs when a muscle suddenly contracts and does not relax. They have several potential causes and types. People commonly experience muscle cramps following exercise, in the legs at night, menstrual cramps, or stomach (or abdominal) cramps.

Muscle cramps

Cramps can affect any skeletal muscles, which connect to bone. A cramp can affect part of a muscle, an entire muscle, or different muscles in a group.

Muscle cramps range from mild tics to severe and debilitating pain. They may last from a few seconds to over 15 minutes and can occur once or multiple times before going away. A person may be able to see the muscle twitching beneath the skin during a cramp, and the muscle may feel hard to the touch.

Cramps most commonly affect the:

  • calves
  • hamstrings
  • quadriceps

The reason for muscle cramps is not always clear, and there may not always be an obvious cause. Still, some causes include:

  • muscle overuse or strain
  • a lack of electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium
  • some medications
  • dehydration
  • compressed nerves
  • a lack of blood reaching the muscles
  • pregnancy

Nocturnal leg cramps

These are leg cramps that occur during the night. Nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) are common, but experts do not fully understand why they occur. They most often affect the calves and can disrupt sleep, which can leave a person feeling tired.

There may be various causes and risk factors for NLC, including:

  • diabetes
  • intense exercise
  • dehydration
  • certain medications
  • disorders that leave a person less mobile
  • disturbances in electrolytes and fluids
  • endocrine disorders
  • vascular disorders

Contributing factors may also include:

  • older age
  • alcohol consumption
  • sedentary lifestyle

Menstrual cramps

Doctors call pain due to periods dysmenorrhea, which affects more than half of all people who have periods. Some may experience mild to moderate cramping or a sense of heaviness in the pelvic area, while others experience severe cramping. In some individuals, the level of pain reduces as they age.

A person is at higher risk of period pain if they:

  • have heavy or long lasting periods
  • have high stress levels
  • got their first period before the age of 11 years
  • smoke

Pain during periods may signify other health problems, which doctors call secondary dysmenorrhea. This pain typically lasts longer than typical menstrual cramps and can worsen with age. Causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include:

  • ovarian cysts
  • endometriosis
  • uterine fibroids

Stomach cramps

Cramping in the abdomen is generally not serious. Common causes of abdominal pain include:

  • bloating
  • gas
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

If the pain affects one specific area of the abdomen or is sudden and severe, the cause may be more serious. In some cases, it could require immediate medical attention. Potential causes include:

  • appendicitis
  • kidney stones
  • gallstones

The best medication for cramps will depend on the cause or type, although some medications may address a range of cramps. However, a person should speak with a healthcare professional before taking any medications.

Medication for muscle cramps

A person does not typically need medication for muscle cramps, as they often resolve after stretching, massage, or applying heat or cold. If they remain, medications may help.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medication

If the cramps persist, OTC pain relief options may help reduce pain. These include:

  • ibuprofen
  • naproxen
  • acetaminophen

Research has found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, are effective against pain due to muscle cramps, such as lower back spasms. In severe cases, a person may experience greater relief by taking NSAIDs together with muscle relaxers.

Similarly, in mild to moderate cases, acetaminophen is effective.

A person with heart, liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal problems may consider avoiding NSAIDs, as these medications have potential side effects, including:

  • gastric effects:
    • indigestion
    • diarrhea
    • nausea
    • stomach ulcers
  • allergic reactions
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • tiredness

In rare cases, NSAIDs can lead to

  • heart failure
  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • liver and kidney problems

Muscle relaxers

If a person experiences cramps from an injury or other temporary cause, muscle relaxers may help in the short term. They generally work by preventing the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain or causing a sedative effect by depressing the central nervous system.

These medications include carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine.

Muscle relaxers work fast to relieve cramping muscles and usually last between 4 and 6 hours. One study found that 78.2% of people felt a reduction in acute lower back pain with a combination of a muscle relaxer called chlorzoxazone and ibuprofen.

However, a person should not use muscle relaxers for longer than 2–3 weeks, as they can cause physical dependence. There are also potential side effects, which include:

  • headache
  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • low blood pressure
  • irritability
  • agitation
  • nervousness

Medication for nocturnal leg cramps

As with general muscle cramps, NSAIDs or acetaminophen may help alleviate pain from NLC.

In chronic cases, a doctor may prescribe medication for leg cramps, including:

  • muscle relaxers such as carisoprodol and orphenadrine
  • calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem
  • anticonvulsants such as gabapentin

While a doctor may prescribe these medications for leg cramps, researchers have not identified a standard treatment. The evidence for the effectiveness of these medications in treating NLC is inconclusive, so more research is necessary.

Medication for menstrual cramps

Medication for menstrual cramps may depend on the severity of the pain.

OTC options

As with NLC and muscle cramps, OTC NSAIDs and acetaminophen often relieve menstrual pain. NSAIDs may be more effective at relieving menstrual pain than acetaminophen.

Researchers found that 31% of girls and women felt relief from menstrual pain after taking NSAIDs. They also found that 2–3% of girls and women experienced side effects when taking NSAIDs to relieve menstrual pain.

Prescription options

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe hormonal birth control, which may reduce the severity of cramps by preventing ovulation.

This includes:

  • hormonal birth control pills
  • injections
  • intrauterine devices
  • patches
  • vaginal rings

Common side effects of birth control pills may include:

  • breakthrough bleeding
  • increased vaginal discharge
  • tender breasts
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • abdominal cramping

Medication for stomach cramps

NSAIDs and some other pain relievers may irritate the gastrointestinal system, causing further pain.

An antispasmodic muscle relaxer, such as Buscopan, which contains the active ingredient hyoscine butylbromide, is an effective medication for abdominal cramps. It may also alleviate bladder pain and menstrual cramps.

A doctor may prescribe Buscopan or another medication that contains hyoscine butylbromide.

However, its side effects may include:

  • blurred vision
  • constipation
  • dry mouth

Generally, treatments for abdominal cramping depend on the cause. Many treatments exist for cramping due to IBS and may include diet and lifestyle changes along with various medications.

There are several methods a person may try to help prevent or alleviate cramps.

For muscle cramps and NLC, individuals could try:

  • frequent stretching
  • deep tissue massage
  • staying hydrated
  • warming up muscles before exercise
  • applying warmth to affected muscles

For menstrual cramps, an individual may:

  • wrap a hot water bottle or heat pad in a towel and apply to the lower abdomen
  • use a transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation unit, a device that uses electrical impulses to ease pain
  • have a warm bath
  • exercise gently
  • have a light massage

For abdominal cramps, a person could try:

  • keeping hydrated
  • eating smaller meals more regularly
  • avoiding foods that cause gas
  • eating plenty of high fiber foods

People should consider speaking with a healthcare professional if they are experiencing cramps frequently.

Cramps often arise due to a sudden contraction of a muscle that does not relax afterward. People commonly experience muscle cramps, nocturnal leg cramps, menstrual cramps, and abdominal cramps.

The best medication depends on the type of cramp and its underlying cause. A person should consult a doctor for further guidance before taking any medications for cramps.

What's the best medication for muscle spasms?

Taken as 800 mg tablets 3 to 4 times a day, metaxalone (Skelaxin) has the fewest reported side effects and lowest sedation potential of the muscle relaxants based on clinical studies. Simply put, it is the best-tolerated of the muscle relaxants.

Is there an over the counter muscle relaxer?

Is there an over-the-counter muscle relaxer? 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.