Best Muscle Relaxant for pain
Top-rated pick: Robaxin — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 8 Muscle Relaxant drugs used for pain, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for pain or the full Muscle Relaxant class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 8 muscle relaxant drugs we rate for pain, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are tablet. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for pain; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How muscle relaxant work
Most muscle relaxants work in the brain and spinal cord rather than on the muscle itself: they damp down the overactive nerve signals and reflexes that keep muscles tense, easing spasms and tightness. Some specialized agents instead act directly on muscle calcium release.
Other drug classes for pain
Top muscle relaxant for pain: 1. Robaxin · 2. Metaxalone · 3. Amrix
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $12 | View → | |
| 3 | 56/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Suspension | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $1 | View → |
Full ranking · 8 drugs
robaxin
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Robaxin (Methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Myositis, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.13/30· 3 forms Save up to 51% in class
metaxalone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Metaxalone is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Muscle Spasticity, Myositis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$11.87/30· 2 forms Save up to 95% in classamrix
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Amrix (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride) is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Muscle Spasticity, Myositis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.53/30· 5 formsatmeksi
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Atmeksi (Methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Myositis, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.13/30· 3 forms Save up to 51% in classcarisoprodol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Muscle Spasticity, Myositis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.98/30· 2 forms Save up to 69% in classmethocarbamol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Myositis, Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.13/30· 3 forms Save up to 51% in classsoma
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Soma (Carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Muscle Spasticity, Myositis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.98/30· 2 forms Save up to 69% in classtonmya
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tonmya (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride) is a muscle relaxant used to treat Muscle Cramp, Muscle Rigidity, Muscle Spasticity, Myositis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.53/30· 5 formsFrequently asked
- What is the best muscle relaxant for pain?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — robaxin ranks highest among Muscle Relaxant drugs used for pain. Always consult a professional.
- Which muscle relaxant drugs treat pain?
- pharmaranks lists 8 Muscle Relaxant products used for pain, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.