Are there effective over-the-counter muscle relaxers, and when is prescription treatment required in Europe?

Over-the-counter muscle relaxers explained: pain relief options, antispasmodics, NSAIDs, sedating antihistamines, and safety considerations.

In this episode, we clarify what can legally be purchased without a prescription for muscle spasms in the EU and how these differ from prescription muscle relaxants.

You’ll learn:

• Why true skeletal muscle relaxants are prescription-only in most EU countries

• The role of NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) for muscle-related pain

• When paracetamol may help with mild discomfort

• Why sedating antihistamines are not muscle relaxants

• Risks of combining over-the-counter pain relievers

• Red flag symptoms such as weakness, numbness ...