Muscle relaxants for prostatitis

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride	Flexeril
diazepam	Valium
metaxalone	Skelaxin

How It Works

These medications relax muscles throughout the body. They are believed to work because they calm both the central nervous system and the muscles. These medications may make you sleepy.

Why It Is Used

Muscle relaxants may be used to treat pain caused by chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or noninflammatory.

How Well It Works

The use of these medications to treat prostatitis has not been carefully studied. However, doctors find that these medications are often helpful, especially for men with chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory.¹

Side Effects

The side effects of these medications include:

• Drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Urinary retention.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Valium can be habit-forming with long-term use.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: December 27, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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