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Muscle & Body Pain Medicines

Other names: Ankle Sprain; Muscular Aches and Pains; Myalgia

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 1, 2023.

Muscle pain can arise from various factors, including injury, infection, or illness. Depending on the cause, common medications for muscle pain include:

For most instances of muscle pain:

  • Rest and Elevate: Allow the affected area to rest and elevate it to ease discomfort
  • Use ice packs to reduce inflammation initially for the first two days
  • Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or take a warm shower for muscle pain that has lasted several days
  • Explore other options like massage, meditation, or acupuncture to complement conventional treatments.

Drugs used to treat Muscle Pain

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
ibuprofen 6.3 8 reviews for ibuprofen to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Brand names:
Advil, Motrin, Advil Liqui-Gels, IBU-200, Motrin IB, A-G Profen, Nuprin, Proprinal, Addaprin, Advil Children's, Advil Junior Strength, Genpril, Midol IB
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
acetaminophen 7.5 11 reviews for acetaminophen to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Brand names:
Tylenol, Paracetamol, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol 8 Hour, Dolono, Mapap, Acephen, Actamin, Altenol, Aminofen, Anacin Aspirin Free, Apra, Cetafen, Febrol Solution, Feverall, Genapap, Genebs, Leader 8 Hour Pain Reliever, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Pharbetol, Tactinal, Tempra Quicklets, Tycolene, Tylophen, Vitapap
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
naproxen 6.3 33 reviews for naproxen to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Brand names:
Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Aflaxen, All Day Pain Relief, Anaprox-DS, Flanax Pain Reliever, Aleve Back and Muscle Pain, All Day Relief, EC-Naprosyn, Midol Extended Relief
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
diclofenac 6.6 28 reviews for diclofenac to treat Muscle Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Brand names:
Voltaren, Cataflam, Zipsor, Lofena
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Tylenol 4.0 2 reviews for Tylenol to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Paracetamol 9.7 3 reviews for Paracetamol to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Tylenol Arthritis Pain 0.0 2 reviews for Tylenol Arthritis Pain to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aleve 8.5 2 reviews for Aleve to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Advil 6.2 6 reviews for Advil to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Voltaren 7.5 8 reviews for Voltaren to treat Muscle Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Motrin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
nabumetone Off-label 5.6 13 reviews for nabumetone to treat Muscle Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
nabumetone systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Naprosyn 8.0 1 review for Naprosyn to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cataflam 0.0 1 review for Cataflam to treat Muscle Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Tylenol 8 Hour Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Advil Liqui-Gels 8.0 1 review for Advil Liqui-Gels to treat Muscle Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dolono Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Mapap Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acephen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
IBU-200 Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Motrin IB Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
A-G Profen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Actamin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Altenol Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aminofen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
acetaminophen systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous analgesics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Muscle Pain

Alternative treatments for Muscle Pain

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Muscle Pain. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Muscle Pain.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.