You can use medication to relieve the pain of a temporomandibular (TM) disorder. Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), narcotics, muscle relaxants, or antidepressant medications can relieve or reduce inflammation, control pain, and relax the jaw muscles.

Medication Choices

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat inflammation and pain. These are the most commonly used medications for TM disorders.
• Narcotic pain relievers (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 (Elavil), can effectively relieve chronic pain and make treatment more successful, but the effects seem to decrease over time.³ These medications 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.