Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH

Muscle Relaxants for Prostatitis

Examples Back to top

Generic Name Brand Name
cyclobenzaprine Flexeril
diazepam Valium
metaxalone Skelaxin

How It Works Back to top

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

Why It Is Used Back to top

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

How Well It Works Back to top

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

Side Effects Back to top

The side effects of these medicines 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 Back to top

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 Back to top

Citations

  1. Nickel JC (2007). Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 1, pp. 304–329. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Credits Back to top

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology
Last Revised December 3, 2011

Last Revised: December 3, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.