What potential side effect is associated with most muscle relaxants?

Muscle relaxants are commonly used to alleviate muscle spasms and discomfort associated with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. One of the most notable potential side effects associated with many of these medications is drowsiness, alongside dizziness. This occurs because muscle relaxants can act on the central nervous system, often leading to sedation as they depress neuronal activity, which can result in a calming effect that induces both dizziness and drowsiness.

While options such as constipation and fatigue might occur with some muscle relaxants, they are not as universally associated with this class of drugs as drowsiness and dizziness. Drowsiness can significantly affect a patient's ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving, making awareness of this side effect particularly important for patient education. Therefore, recognizing that both dizziness and drowsiness commonly occur helps in managing potential complications in patients using muscle relaxants.