Two medicines, side by side
Chlorzoxazone vs baclofen
Chlorzoxazone and baclofen are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of chlorzoxazone since 1958 and of baclofen since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.210 per chlorzoxazone 500 mg tablet and $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the chlorzoxazone FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 5, 2023); the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024).
Highlights of the chlorzoxazone record
Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte Dsc) · label of September 5, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsChlorzoxazone is indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The mode of action of this drug has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties. Chlorzoxazone does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles in man.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 15, 1958
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.210 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Chlorzoxazone label of September 5, 2023, Baclofen label of August 12, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do chlorzoxazone and baclofen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Generics: chlorzoxazone since 1981; baclofen since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Chlorzoxazone | Baclofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 15, 1958 | November 22, 1977 |
| First generic approved | October 6, 1981 | July 21, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.210 per tablet (Chlorzoxazone 500 mg tablet) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -5% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,296 | 88,351 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to chlorzoxazone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions