Little evidence for muscle relaxants in low back pain: review
Benefits appear marginal but the quality of evidence is low, researchers say
Muscle relaxants are largely ineffective and increase the risk of adverse events despite being widely prescribed to treat low back pain in adults, Australian researchers warn.
The drugs are the third most frequently prescribed medication for low back pain, according to the team from Neuroscience Research Australia and UNSW Sydney, but their systematic review and meta-analysis cast doubt on the benefit for patients.
