Yes, muscle relaxers can make you sleepy. They act as a Central Nervous System depressant, slowing down brain activity, which results in sleepiness and tiredness.
However, its impact is limited to certain users and has been reported by only a few.
“Does muscle relaxers make you sleep?” is probably one of the most frequently asked questions. This query arises from the experiences of many individuals who report feeling sleepy or tired after taking muscle relaxers.
This blog will explain the relationship between muscle relaxers and sleepiness, identify contributing factors, and provide tips for managing sleep-related issues associated with these medications.
Understanding Muscle Relaxers
Muscle relaxers are prescription medications that manage muscle contraction, relieving pain and discomfort arising from muscle spasms and stiffness. They are ideal for short-term acute pain and are proven to work more efficiently with rest and physical therapy.
Types Of Muscle Relaxers
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Antispasmodics: These muscle relaxers alter the pain transmission within the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce muscle spasms. These types of muscle relaxer pills include- Carisoprodol (Soma), Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Methocarbamol (Robaxin), or Metaxalone (Skelaxin).
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Antispastic Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: They directly work on the spinal cord or skeletal muscle. Common muscle relaxer names are Baclofen and Dantrolene.
Two skeletal muscle relaxants exhibiting antispastic and antispasmodic effects include Tizanidine and Diazepam.
Muscle Relaxer Side Effects
While muscle relaxants can effectively manage muscle-related issues, they also have potential side effects that users should be aware of. Common side effects of muscle relaxers are-
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Drowsiness or sleepiness
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Dizziness
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Fatigue
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Dry mouth
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Nausea
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Headache
Sleepiness and Muscle Relaxers
The relationship between muscle relaxers and sleepiness is a common concern among individuals taking these medications. It's important to note that not everyone will experience these side effects, and the severity can vary from person to person.
Why Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Sleepy?
The likelihood of experiencing sleepiness after taking muscle relaxers is influenced by several factors, including-
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Mechanism of Action- Muscle relaxers target the CNS to reduce muscle tension, leading to relaxation and relief. However, they also have sedative properties that can induce sleepiness. Sleep induced by sedation is due to the slowing down the brain's activity. It can also result in lethargy and tiredness [8].
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Dosage and Timing- Higher doses and medication administration time may increase the risk of sedation and sleepiness.
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Individual Response and underlying health issues- Some individuals are more sensitive to the sedative effects of muscle relaxers than others. This leads to different levels of sleepiness. Moreover, health issues, such as sleep disorders or respiratory issues, increase the chances of experiencing sleepiness.
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Interaction- Muscle relaxers can interact with other medications or substances, such as alcohol, that can increase their sleepiness effects.
How Long Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Drowsy?
The sleepiness associated with muscle relaxers lasts as long as their action. Thus, most muscle relaxers can make you sleepy for 4 to 6 hours from the last dose.
Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Feel Loopy?
Yes, muscle relaxers affect the central nervous system by causing a soothing effect, making it hard to think and function normally.
Research On Sleepiness Caused By Muscle Relaxers
Clinical studies establish that prescription muscle relaxers may not always cause drowsiness. Some studies that support the ability of muscle relaxers to cause drowsiness and sleepiness are listed below.
Clinical Study 1-
A study in the Journal of Rheumatology concludes that using muscle relaxers such as cyclobenzaprine in patients with Fibromyalgia helps improve sleep quality. The study also suggests the possibility of experiencing fatigue [12]. Another study concludes that using the muscle relaxer exhibits a sedative effect and drowsiness [15].
Clinical Study 2-
A study by Roger Chou suggests that the rate of drowsiness from muscle relaxers such as cyclobenzaprine is 38% and 33% in diazepam users [13].
Clinical Study 3-
A study by M. D. Robertson states that side effects associated with Carisoprodol therapy include sleepiness, dizziness, and drowsiness [14]. Soma constipation is often reported in a few people; however, it is not a prevalent issue.
Common Muscle Relaxers Causing Sleepiness
Based on scientific evidence and FDA findings, sleepiness and dizziness are identified as the most common adverse effects associated with muscle relaxers. However, not all muscle relaxers react similarly and induce the exact same effect. So, let us deeply understand the association of two of the most popular muscle relaxers with sleep.
Does Cyclobenzaprine Make You Sleepy?
A study involving Cyclobenzaprine indicates that 30% of people taking the muscle relaxer experience drowsiness [1].
Another clinical trial by Lynn Henry indicates that muscle relaxers (cyclobenzaprine) induce sleepiness [2]. Medical News Today reports that dizziness and drowsiness are cyclobenzaprine's two common side effects [3].
Does Soma Make You Sleepy?
Carisoprodol, the generic version of the Soma pill, is a skeletal muscle relaxant. However, unlike Cyclobenzaprine, Carisoprodol has mixed evidence on its correlation with sleepiness.
Sudden discontinuation of the Soma pill can cause withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia (a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep) [5]. The Rxlist also asserts the inability to sleep as a side effect of the Soma pill.
On the contrary, there are pieces of evidence indicating that Soma causes sleepiness. The website Drugs advises users not to operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle if Carisoprodol makes them sleepy [6].
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports drowsiness and dizziness as Carisoprodol's most common side effects. The package insert of the Soma pill states that 17% of patients experience sedation from Carisoprodol [7].
Managing Sleepiness
Experiencing sleepiness after taking muscle relaxers can be challenging. The tips mentioned below can help manage sleepiness caused by muscle relaxers.
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Take muscle relaxers before bedtime to allow the sedative effects to wear off, which can help reduce daytime sleepiness.
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Discuss with your healthcare provider about adjusting the dosage of muscle relaxers to find a balance between managing pain and minimizing sedation.
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Muscle relaxers and alcohol interaction can slow down brain activity, resulting in sleepiness. Avoid drinking alcohol with muscle relaxers, as it can be dangerous.
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Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
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Staying active and doing regular physical activity can improve overall energy levels.
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Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, which can help maintain energy levels and reduce sleepiness.
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Consider alternative therapies to get similar effects of muscle relaxers without excessive sedation.
Can Muscle Relaxers Cause Fatigue?
Some users have reported that muscle relaxers can lead to feelings of grogginess and tiredness [10].
A few possible reasons for experiencing tiredness from Muscle relaxers are-
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Muscle relaxers target specific brain receptors that can affect sleep quality and cause fatigue the next day.
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Dry mouth is a common side effect of muscle relaxers [10]. This may contribute to dehydration, causing weakness and fatigue.
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CNS depressing ability of the muscle relaxers causes lethargy.
Tips To Cope With Tiredness
The recommended tips for coping with muscle relaxer-induced fatigue and weakness are:
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Staying hydrated.
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Maintaining a healthy diet.
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Consult a doctor to develop better treatment strategies.
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Establish a good sleep routine.
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Reduce stress.
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Eliminate the consumption of alcohol.
Conclusion- Do Muscle Relaxers Make You Sleepy?
One can summarize whether a muscle relaxer makes you sleepy by stating its effect on the sleep cycle. In a nutshell, yes,” muscle relaxants make you sleepy. Thus, it is ideal for taking muscle relaxer doses at night. Also, performing activities such as driving or operating machines after using muscle relaxers is not recommended. However, not everyone taking muscle relaxers experiences drowsiness.