A muscle relaxant is a term commonly used to describe medications that target the central nervous system to ease muscle tension. These drugs are frequently prescribed to alleviate pain and discomfort resulting from sprains, strains, or other muscular injuries. Commonly used skeletal muscle relaxants include carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and metaxalone (Skelaxin), which are typically administered in tablet form. In the United States, these muscle relaxants are available only with a prescription.Additionally, there are muscle relaxants known as blocking agents that are utilized during the initiation of anesthesia or the insertion of an endotracheal (ET) tube. These relaxants are administered intravenously and act directly on the muscles. Examples of such medications used in surgical settings include succinylcholine (Anectine, Sucostrin), atracurium (Tracrium), and pancuronium (Pavulon).
