Can You Take Muscle Relaxers During Pregnancy?

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By Dr. Joel Bernstien | Updated on Sep 11, 2023
Image for article Can You Take Muscle Relaxers During Pregnancy?

Fortunately, muscle relaxers are safe during pregnancy. As you can imagine, pregnancy can take a toll on your muscles—your weight increases and your center of gravity changes. What used to be minor muscle spasms can sometimes get really intense, most commonly in your back.

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. It’s considered pregnancy category B1 , meaning animal studies are reassuring but no real human studies have been done. (FYI, no pharmaceutical companies directly study medications on pregnant people.)

Side effects of muscle relaxers are fatigue, dizziness, and dry mouth, so please be careful in choosing when you take the medication.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

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  1. Jessica C. Leek, and Hasan Arif"Pregnancy Medications"Apr 8, 2023https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507858/.


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Updated on Sep 11, 2023

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Can You Take Muscle Relaxers During Pregnancy?

 Joel Bernstien Profile Photo
By Dr. Joel Bernstien | Updated on Sep 11, 2023
Image for article Can You Take Muscle Relaxers During Pregnancy?

Fortunately, muscle relaxers are safe during pregnancy. As you can imagine, pregnancy can take a toll on your muscles—your weight increases and your center of gravity changes. What used to be minor muscle spasms can sometimes get really intense, most commonly in your back.

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. It’s considered pregnancy category B1 , meaning animal studies are reassuring but no real human studies have been done. (FYI, no pharmaceutical companies directly study medications on pregnant people.)

Side effects of muscle relaxers are fatigue, dizziness, and dry mouth, so please be careful in choosing when you take the medication.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

Want evidence-based health & wellness advice for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum delivered to your inbox?

Your privacy is important to us. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Expectful uses only high-quality sources, including academic research institutions, medical associations, and subject matter experts.

  1. Jessica C. Leek, and Hasan Arif"Pregnancy Medications"Apr 8, 2023https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507858/.


Share via