Medications
You can use medicine to relieve the
pain of a
. Short-term use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotics, muscle relaxants, or
antidepressant medicines can relieve or reduce
, control pain, and relax the jaw muscles.
Medication Choices
- are used to treat inflammation and pain. These are the most
commonly used medicines for TM disorders.
- (such as acetaminophen with
codeine or hydrocodone) are used in some cases of acute, severe pain. Because
narcotics are addictive, they are usually not taken long
term.
- Muscle relaxants, such as diazepam (Valium) or
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), are used in some cases of acute pain or prolonged
muscle spasm. Because they are addictive, sedating, and can cause depression or
make it worse, muscle relaxants should be taken at the lowest possible dose and
are usually not used long term.
- Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline,
can effectively relieve chronic pain and make treatment more successful.4 These
medicines have also been helpful for improving disrupted sleep patterns,
which can cause
bruxism.
What To Think About
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) do not cure TM disorders, but they may reduce pain and
inflammation, which allows you to do prescribed jaw exercises that can start
the healing process. NSAIDs may be prescribed on a regular basis for 1 to 2
weeks to help reduce inflammation even though the pain has subsided.
Your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant, not necessarily because you
suffer from depression but to help treat chronic pain or nighttime
bruxism.