Skip to Content
Print Share

Medications for Muscle Pain

Other names: ACL Injury; Ankle Injury; Ankle Pain; Ankle Sprain; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Strain; Calf Injury; Calf Pain; Calf pain with exercise; Dislocated joint; Elbow pain; Impingement Syndrome; Injury, ankle; Injury, anterior cruciate ligament; Injury, calf; Muscular Aches and Pains; Myalgia; Pain, ankle; Pain, calf; Pain, elbow; Pain, wrist; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Rotator Cuff Injury; Wrist Pain

About Muscle Pain:  Muscle pain is a common condition where sore and aching muscles can be related to tension or stress, overuse, or muscle injury from exercise or physically demanding work. Muscle pain can also involve ligaments, tendons and soft tissues. Muscular aches and pains may also be a sign of conditions affecting your body such as infections.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs Used to Treat Muscle Pain

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
ibuprofen C N X 6 reviews
7.3

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Brand names:  Advil, Motrin, IBU, Advil Liqui-Gels, Motrin IB, Ibu-6, Ibu-8, IBU-200, A-G Profen, Actiprofen, Addaprin, Advil Children's, Genpril, Haltran, Ibu-4, Ibu-Tab, Midol IB, Nuprin, Proprinal, Q-Profen …show all

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

naproxen C N X 28 reviews
6.5

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Brand names:  Anaprox, Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox-DS, Aflaxen, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, EC-Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Reliever, Midol Extended Relief …show all

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

acetaminophen C N X 5 reviews
6.7

Generic name: acetaminophen systemic

Brand names:  Tylenol, Paracetamol, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Mapap, Q-Pap, Tylenol 8 Hour, Acephen, Dolono, Abenol, Actamin, Actimol Children's, Altenol, Aminofen, Anacin Aspirin Free, Apra, Atasol, Cetafen, Equaline Pain Relief, Febrol Solution, Feverall, Genapap, Genebs, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infant Drops, Redutemp, Tactinal, Tempra Quicklets, Topcare 8 Hour Pain Relief, Topcare Arthritis Pain Relief, Tycolene, Tylophen, Vitapap …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous analgesics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

diclofenac D N X 21 reviews
6.9

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Brand names:  Voltaren, Cataflam, Zipsor, Voltaren-XR …show all

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Tylenol C N X Add review
1.0

Generic name: acetaminophen systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous analgesics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Advil C N X 5 reviews
7.9

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Paracetamol C N X 2 reviews
9.7

Generic name: acetaminophen systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous analgesics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Voltaren D N X 6 reviews
8.6

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tylenol Arthritis Pain C N X 1 review
10

Generic name: acetaminophen systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous analgesics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Anaprox C N X 2 reviews
9.7

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Aleve C N X 1 review
7.0

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Motrin C N X Add review
4.0

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cataflam D N X 1 review
2.3

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Naprosyn C N X 1 review
6.8

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

nabumetone Off Label C N X 9 reviews
7.1

Generic name: nabumetone systemic

Brand name:  Relafen

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

IBU C N X Add review
3.0

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Relafen Off Label C N X 5 reviews
6.2

Generic name: nabumetone systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

Naprelan C N X 2 reviews
8.0

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Zipsor D N X 2 reviews
5.3

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Soma Compound C 4 X 4 reviews
7.0

Generic name: aspirin / carisoprodol systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxant combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Advil Liqui-Gels C N X Add review
0.0

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Anaprox-DS C N X 1 review
2.0

Generic name: naproxen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Mapap C N X Add review
0.0

Generic name: acetaminophen systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous analgesics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Motrin IB C N X Add review
0.0

Generic name: ibuprofen systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine N N X 9 reviews
7.1

Generic name: aspirin / caffeine / orphenadrine systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxant combinations

For consumers: interactions,

For professionals: Prescribing Information

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

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.
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
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.

Browse Treatment Options

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer

Drugs.com Mobile Apps

The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.

Explore Apps
Hide