Acetaminophen and NSAIDs help to reduce fever and relieve pain caused by headaches, muscle aches and stiffness. NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation (swelling). Acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation.

OTC pain relievers can be helpful in treating many types of pain, such as pain from arthritis, earaches, back pain, and pain after surgery. They can also treat pain from the flu (influenza) or a cold, sinusitis, strep throat or a sore throat. Children who may have the flu or chickenpox should not take aspirin because they are at higher risk to develop a condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

Acetaminophen can be a good choice for relieving headaches and other common aches and pains. It can be used safely on a long-term basis by most people for arthritis and other chronic painful conditions. Ibuprofen is helpful for relieving menstrual cramps and pain from inflammation (such as muscle sprains). If ibuprofen doesn’t work for you, naproxen may be an option.

Over the counter muscle relaxers

These are a comon over the counter muscle relaxants. Some following muscle relaxants may be prescription drugs in your country. Normally over the counter pain medications can relief your muscle pain. I take Vlotaren Emulgel ( Diclofenac diethylamine gel 1.16% ) for muscle pain relief, and it does work.

Tramaden: It is a clinically proven long lasting pain relief pill which provides quick relief to aching, painful joints and muscles. It restores joint flexibility, reduces inflammation and promotes normal cell growth. It can be taken as a dietary supplement, one capsule before each meal but make sure you don’t exceed more than three capsules per day.

Lioresal: It’s a muscle relaxant used for curing muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis or other diseases. It reduces the frequency and severity of muscle spasms but should not be crushed or chewed before swallowing.

Robaxin (Methocarbamol): It’s a skeletal muscle relaxant used for relieving pain or discomfort due to strains and sprains. Though it causes no direct effect on the muscle, it’s prolonged intake is not recommended and it should be taken with a full glass of water.

Zanaflex (Tizanidine-Oral): It’s a muscle relaxant that relieves spasms and increased muscle tone due to multiple sclerosis or spinal injury. It can be taken orally, 2 – 3 times a day. Zanaflex causes no direct effect on skeletal muscle fibers or the neuromuscular junction and monosynaptic spinal reflexes.

Skelaxin (Metaxalone): It’s a muscle relaxant used to treat skeletal muscle conditions or disorders, like, pain or injury. It can be taken by mouth with or without food, however, with food may increase the chances of drowsiness or dizziness.

Tegretol (Carbamazepine): It is primarily used for controlling certain types of epilepsy. It is also used to relieve severe pain of the jaw or cheek caused by a facial nerve problem (trigeminal neuralgia). Tegretol can be taken by mouth with or without food on daily basis. If suddenly stopped, it may increases the risk of side effects, like, seizures.

Baclofen: It’s a muscle relaxant used to minimize the frequency and severity of muscle spasms due to neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. Baclofen can be taken by mouth with or without food on daily basis.

Toradol (Ketorolac): It’s a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for short-term (up to 5 days) treatment of moderate to severe muscle pain (usually after a surgery), alone or in combination with other medicines. It also reduces inflammation by keeping certain chemicals (prostaglandins) from being produced by the injured tissue.

Celebrex (Celecoxib): It is used for alleviating pain, fever, swelling and tenderness due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Celebrex does not prevent the progression of either type of arthritis, however, it reduces the signs of arthritis. It also provides relief from acute pain as well as pain of menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea). 

Herb Muscle Relaxant

Hundreds of herbal products and supplements are available. They are advertised to treat just about any symptom. However, trustworthy evidence usually doesn’t exist to support these advertising claims.

Some of the most popular herbal products and supplements include

Herbal products and supplements may not be safe if you have certain health problems. You also may be at increased risk of problems from these products if you are elderly. Talk to your doctor before taking herbal products if you have any of the following health problems: