Muscle relaxants for prostatitis

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Flexeril	cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Valium	diazepam

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Skelaxin	metaxalone

How It Works

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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

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

How Well It Works

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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

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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

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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.

References

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Citations

1. Nickel JC (2002). Prostatitis and related conditions. In PC Walsh et al., eds., Campbell's Urology, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 603–630. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Credits

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Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Last Updated	January 20, 2006