Chlorzoxazone

Chlorzoxazone (INN) is a centrally acting muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasm and the resulting pain or discomfort. It acts on the spinal cord by depressing reflexes. It is sold under the trade names ''Lorzone'', Paraflex and Muscol and in combination form as Parafon Forte, a combination of chlorzoxazone and acetaminophen (paracetamol). Possible side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and liver dysfunction. Used with acetaminophen it has added risk of hepatoxicity, which is why the combination is not recommended. It can also be administered for acute pain in general and for tension headache (muscle contraction headache). Chlorzoxazone (INN) is a centrally acting muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasm and the resulting pain or discomfort. It acts on the spinal cord by depressing reflexes. It is sold under the trade names ''Lorzone'', Paraflex and Muscol and in combination form as Parafon Forte, a combination of chlorzoxazone and acetaminophen (paracetamol). Possible side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and liver dysfunction. Used with acetaminophen it has added risk of hepatoxicity, which is why the combination is not recommended. It can also be administered for acute pain in general and for tension headache (muscle contraction headache). Like metaxalone, no specific mechanism of action has been identified for chlorzoxazone, with general central nervous system depression being the only currently accepted aspect to its medical benefits. Search for the exact mechanism of action is ongoing but limited due to the existence of more-effective safe muscle relaxers (ex. diazepam, cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine) greatly limiting the potential benefit of identifying novel compounds which share chlorzoxazone's mechanism of action. As of 2015 the cost for a typical course of medication in the United States is less than US$25.