Muscle relaxers are commonly prescribed medications used to relieve muscle spasms, muscle tension, and pain caused by various medical conditions. For individuals in recovery or navigating substance use treatment, one common concern is whether these medications can show up on a drug test.
If you’re wondering, “Do muscle relaxers show up on a drug test?”, this guide will help clarify how these drugs interact with your body, the testing process, and what you need to know to stay safe and informed.
What Are Muscle Relaxers?
Muscle relaxers (also called muscle relaxants) are a group of medications that work by depressing the central nervous system to ease pain and relieve muscle spasms. They are typically prescribed for short-term use to treat muscle spasms, muscle spasticity, or muscle tension caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or cerebral palsy.
There are two main types of muscle relaxers:
- Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) which include drugs like cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol, and methocarbamol.
- Direct-acting muscle relaxants, such as dantrolene, affect the muscle itself rather than the central nervous system.
Some commonly prescribed muscle relaxers include:
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
- Baclofen
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Do Muscle Relaxers Show Up on a Drug Test?
The short answer is: sometimes, but not always. Most standard drug tests—like the 5-panel or 10-panel urine screens used in safety-sensitive industries—are designed to detect controlled substances such as opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines. Many muscle relaxers are not typically included in these standard drug panels.
However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be detected. Advanced drug screening tests, confirmatory tests, or specific drug testing can be used to detect muscle relaxers, especially if misuse is suspected or if required by a testing facility.
Factors That Influence Drug Test Results
Several factors can affect whether muscle relaxers show up on a drug screening. These include:
- Specific medication: Some muscle relaxers, such as carisoprodol, are more likely to be tested for because they are controlled substances.
- Dosage and frequency: High doses or chronic use can increase detectability.
- Type of test used: Some blood tests, saliva tests, and hair tests have different detection windows.
- Individual factors: Kidney function, liver health, body mass, age, and metabolism all play a role.
Are Muscle Relaxers Considered Controlled Substances?
Some prescribed muscle relaxers, such as carisoprodol, are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and withdrawal symptoms. Others, like cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol, are not scheduled but can still be misused.
If you’re in addiction recovery, it’s essential to discuss any prescription medications with your healthcare provider to avoid unintentional relapse or complications with drug screening.
Can Muscle Relaxers Cause a Positive Result?
In most cases, muscle relaxers don’t show up on a standard drug test. However, some factors can result in a positive result.
These include:
- The test is designed to look for a specific muscle relaxer
- The medication has metabolites similar to other prescription drugs or controlled substances
- There’s a false positive, which can happen due to cross-reactivity
For example:
- Cyclobenzaprine may occasionally produce false positives for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Carisoprodol can metabolize into meprobamate, which may be flagged if the test is designed to detect it
Types of Drug Screening Tests
Different drug tests have varying capabilities when it comes to detecting medications. Here is an overview of different drug screening tests.
Urine Tests
Urine testing is the most common type of drug screening because they are non-invasive and inexpensive. This type of testing can detect muscle relaxers, especially if they are targeted tests.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are more invasive, but they help detect current impairment or very recent use.
Saliva Tests
Saliva testing is less common, with a short detection window (a few hours to a day). This test may detect recent use of muscle relaxants like tizanidine.
Hair Tests
Hair testing can detect medications that remain in the system for up to 90 days. However, this type of testing is typically not used for muscle relaxants unless specifically requested.
Safety Considerations for Muscle Relaxer Use
Muscle relaxers can provide relief for people dealing with muscle pain, neurological disorders, and skeletal muscle injuries.
However, they must be used with medical supervision, especially for people with a history of substance use disorder. Some risks include:
- Sedation and drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Respiratory depression (especially when combined with other depressants)
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Dependency and withdrawal symptoms
Discontinuing muscle relaxers suddenly can cause rebound muscle spasms, insomnia, irritability, and in some cases, seizures.
What To Do if You’re Prescribed a Muscle Relaxer
If you’ve been prescribed muscle relaxers, here are some safety tips to consider:
- Tell your treatment team: If you’re in recovery, be upfront about any new prescription medications.
- Ask about alternatives: Explore nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, or other non-addictive treatments.
- Monitor your reactions: Report any troubling side effects like blurred vision, confusion, or excessive sedation.
- Avoid combining with alcohol or opioids: This increases the risk of overdose or respiratory depression.
Find Treatment and Support Now
Whether you’re managing muscle pain, muscle spasticity, or recovering from injury, it’s crucial to approach muscle relaxers with caution—especially if you’re in addiction recovery.
So, do muscle relaxers show up on a drug test? Not always—but they can, depending on the specific drug, dosage, and test used. Even when not detected, they may still affect your mood, muscle function, and ability to regain control of your recovery.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Find the support and treatment you need to overcome it at First Step Behavioral Health. Learn about our programs or schedule an intake appointment by contacting our specialists today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can over-the-counter medications affect a drug test like muscle relaxers might?
Yes. While most over-the-counter (OTC) medications won’t trigger a positive result for muscle relaxants, some can cause false positives for other substances. For example, certain antihistamines, cold medicines, or NSAIDs like ibuprofen may mimic the chemical structure of other drugs on a test. Always disclose any OTC use before a drug screening.
2. What should I do if I’m taking a prescribed muscle relaxer and have an upcoming drug test?
Inform the testing site or employer ahead of time and bring documentation, such as a doctor’s note or prescription bottle. This can help prevent misunderstandings if the test detects substances related to your medication. Testing facilities may perform confirmatory tests to differentiate between misuse and legitimate use.
3. Are there non-medication ways to treat muscle spasms or muscle pain?
Yes. Physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, stretching routines, and applying heat or cold can help relieve pain and ease muscle tension. These approaches are often recommended alongside or instead of medication, especially for those in recovery or sensitive to the effects of prescription drugs.
4. Do muscle relaxers interfere with mental clarity or performance at work?
They can. Some muscle relaxers cause sedation, confusion, or delayed reaction times, which may affect performance, especially in safety-sensitive industries. It’s important to avoid operating machinery or driving until you know how the medication affects you. Employers may restrict specific roles if these medications are being used.
5. Can using muscle relaxers recreationally be dangerous?
Absolutely. Using muscle relaxers without a prescription or in ways not directed by a doctor can lead to respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and dependency. Combining them with other depressants like alcohol or opioids significantly raises the risk of overdose.
6. What’s the safest way to stop using muscle relaxers if I no longer need them?
Always taper off under medical supervision, especially if you’ve been taking the medication for more than a few weeks. Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, tremors, or worsening muscle spasms.
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