TMJ Pain Relief Medications: How They Work and When They’re Used

*Updated on 12/19/25

Medications can be an important part of managing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, providing relief from pain, inflammation, and muscle tension while other treatments work to correct the underlying causes. Because TMJ pain can stem from inflammation, muscle overuse, nerve sensitivity, or stress, different medications target different mechanisms. Anti-inflammatories reduce swelling, muscle relaxants ease tightness, and antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs help calm nerve activity and tension. When prescribed and monitored by a TMJ specialist, these medications can significantly reduce discomfort and improve function as part of a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan.

With more than a decade of focused experience treating temporomandibular disorders, orofacial pain, and sleep-related airway issues, Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy in The Woodlands has helped thousands of patients achieve lasting relief from chronic TMJ pain and disrupted sleep. Under the guidance of board-certified specialist Dr. Katherine S. Phillips, we combine advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge dental-sleep technology and personalized care strategies to address not only symptoms, but the underlying causes of orofacial pain and TMJ dysfunction.

How Medications Help Relieve TMJ Symptoms

TMJ disorders can arise from multiple interconnected issues within the jaw joint, muscles, and nerves, which is why effective treatment often requires more than one approach. Medications help by targeting specific mechanisms behind the pain. By addressing these underlying processes, the right combination of medications can ease discomfort, restore mobility, and support the body’s natural healing as part of a broader treatment plan.

Here’s how medications can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with TMJ disorders.

• Inflammation and swelling. NSAIDs and corticosteroids reduce the inflammation inside the joint capsule or surrounding tissues, helping relieve pain and restore mobility.
• Muscle tension and spasm. Muscle relaxants and certain anti-anxiety medications relieve tightness and reduce pressure on the joint.
• Nerve sensitivity. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can help calm overactive pain pathways and prevent chronic or radiating pain.
• Stress and behavioral factors. Anti-anxiety medications may reduce jaw clenching or grinding caused by emotional tension.

However, while medications can ease symptoms, they do not correct the mechanical or structural issues—such as misalignment, overuse, or clenching habits—that often drive TMJ disorders.

When Medications May Be Needed to Relieve TMJ Pain

For most patients, the initial approach to TMJ treatment focuses on conservative, non-pharmacologic therapies such as physical therapy, oral appliance therapy, stress management, and lifestyle modifications. These methods often provide significant relief by addressing muscle tension and mechanical strain on the jaw joint.

However, in certain situations, medication may become an important component of treatment. This is especially true when:

• Pain or inflammation is moderate to severe and interferes with daily activities.
• Muscle tightness or spasms persist despite conservative care.
• Joint inflammation flares due to injury or internal derangement.
• Nerve-related (neuropathic) pain develops and requires targeted management.
• Other therapies are underway but need additional support for comfort and healing.

In these cases, medications can help reduce inflammation, relax tense muscles, calm overactive nerves, or ease the stress response that contributes to jaw tension. Their role is to create a more comfortable foundation for recovery while other treatments work to correct the underlying causes.

Types of Medications Used for TMJ Pain Relief

Because TMJ disorders can stem from multiple factors, from inflammation to muscle overuse or nerve irritation, no single medication works for everyone. Instead, different types of medications are used to address specific aspects of the condition. They can be grouped into two main categories: over-the-counter medications for more general symptom relief, and prescription options for more persistent or complex pain.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

OTC medications are often the first line of defense for mild to moderate TMJ discomfort and a helpful early step in a more comprehensive approach. They can help calm inflammation, reduce everyday soreness, manage temporary flare-ups, and serve as a bridge while other therapies begin to take effect. Although they don’t address the underlying cause of TMJ disorders, they can provide meaningful short-term relief as part of a broader care plan guided by a qualified provider.

Here are some common over-the-counter medications used for TMJ pain relief, as well as how they work, when they are used, and factors to consider before taking them.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Common examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin.

How they work: NSAIDs reduce inflammation by blocking enzymes that produce prostaglandins, compounds responsible for pain, swelling, and stiffness. By lowering inflammation in the jaw muscles and joint tissues, these medications can help alleviate both pain and restricted motion.

Typical usage: NSAIDs are particularly effective when symptoms are linked to inflammation, such as swelling or tenderness around the joint, or soreness after excessive jaw activity.

Considerations: These medications should be taken as directed. Those with stomach sensitivity, ulcers, or certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Dietary Supplements

Certain supplements are sometimes used to support joint health. Glucosamine and chondroitin, for example, are naturally found in cartilage and may help improve joint comfort and mobility. Folic acid (vitamin B9) has also been suggested to support joint function.

How they work: These compounds may help protect or rebuild cartilage and support joint lubrication, though evidence for their effectiveness in TMJ disorders remains limited.

Typical usage: Supplements are best considered as complementary aids within a broader treatment plan, not as replacements for medical or physical therapy.

Considerations: Since supplements are not regulated in the same way as medications, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen.

Prescription Medications

When over-the-counter remedies are insufficient or symptoms are more complex, prescription medications may be used under the guidance of a TMJ specialist or physician. The type of medication prescribed depends on the nature of the pain, whether it’s primarily inflammatory, muscular, or nerve-related.

Prescription NSAIDs

Examples of prescription NSAIDs for TMJ pain relief include diclofenac (Voltaren) and ketorolac (Toradol).

How they work: These medications are stronger versions of their over-the-counter counterparts, providing enhanced pain and inflammation control. They may be used for short periods to reduce swelling and restore normal joint function.

Typical usage: Typically prescribed for persistent or severe inflammation that hasn’t responded to standard NSAIDs.

Considerations: Because of their potency, prescription NSAIDs require careful monitoring to minimize potential side effects.

Muscle Relaxants

Common examples of muscle relaxants used for TMJ pain relief include cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), tizanidine (Zanaflex), and metaxalone (Skelaxin).

How they work: Muscle relaxants act on the central nervous system to reduce muscle tension and spasms. By calming overactive jaw and facial muscles, they help alleviate pressure on the temporomandibular joint.

Typical usage: Often prescribed for patients with muscle-dominant TMJ pain, particularly when clenching or grinding causes persistent tightness or fatigue in the jaw.

Considerations: These medications may cause drowsiness and are typically used short-term to help break cycles of muscle tension.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

Examples of anti-anxiety medications used for TMJ pain relief include lorazepam (Ativan) and 

Diazepam (Valium).

How they work: By reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, these medications help minimize the stress and muscle tension that often contribute to TMJ symptoms. They may also improve sleep quality, reduce nighttime clenching, and act as a muscle relaxant.

Typical usage: In cases where stress or anxiety significantly aggravates jaw tension or pain.

Considerations: These drugs should only be used under close supervision and are generally reserved for short-term management.

Corticosteroids

Examples of corticosteroids used for TMJ pain relief include prednisone and triamcinolone, which may be administered orally or through localized injections.

How they work: Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that suppress immune responses contributing to joint swelling and pain.

Typical usage: For acute inflammation, severe joint pain, or in cases of internal joint derangement that do not respond to other anti-inflammatory treatments.

Considerations: These medications are typically prescribed for short durations to avoid long-term side effects.

Antidepressants

Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or nortriptyline are sometimes used for chronic TMJ pain.  The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor duloxetine (Cymbalta) can also be prescribed.

How they work: These medications modify how the brain processes pain signals and can also help improve sleep quality, which supports muscle recovery and pain regulation.

Typical usage: For patients with chronic pain, tension-related headaches, or poor sleep associated with TMJ disorders.

Considerations: Side effects can include dry mouth and drowsiness, so dosages are typically adjusted carefully.

Neuropathic Pain Medications

Examples of neuropathic pain medications used to relieve TMJ symptoms include gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

How they work: These medications calm overactive nerves and reduce “burning” or radiating pain that stems from nerve irritation in the jaw or surrounding areas.

Typical usage: For TMJ cases where pain is chronic or nerve-related, particularly when other treatments have not fully resolved discomfort.

Considerations: Often used as part of a broader pain management plan, and dosage is tailored to each patient’s tolerance and response.

The Role of a TMJ Specialist in Treating TMJ Pain with Medication

Medications for TMJ disorders are designed to relieve discomfort and make everyday life more manageable, but they don’t address the underlying reasons TMJ disorders develop. Without correcting those root causes, pain relief is often temporary.

For example, if the jaw joint is inflamed due to chronic clenching or misalignment, medications can calm the inflammation but won’t prevent it from returning. Similarly, if stress and poor posture are creating tension in the neck and jaw, a pill may reduce symptoms but not solve the source of strain.

Long-term relief comes from identifying and treating the root cause, whether that’s muscle overuse, structural imbalance, or an airway issue disrupting sleep. When medications are used in combination with physical therapy, bite stabilization, behavioral therapy, and sleep evaluation, outcomes are far more lasting.

However, because TMJ disorders can involve multiple systems—musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychological—it’s important for any medication use to be guided by a specialist trained in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. This is why most TMJ specialists use medications as part of a comprehensive, multimodal treatment plan.

To effectively treat TMJ pain with medication, an experienced TMJ specialist can:

• Determine the underlying cause of pain through detailed evaluation, imaging, and functional assessment, ensuring the medication matches the root issue.
• Develop an individualized plan that integrates medications with physical therapy, therapeutic Botox, trigger point injections, oral appliance therapy, posture correction, and lifestyle recommendations.
• Monitor medication safety and effectiveness, adjusting dosages or combinations to prevent dependency and minimize side effects.
• Coordinate care across disciplines, including dentistry, physical therapy, and sleep medicine, to ensure all contributing factors—such as bite imbalance or airway restriction—are addressed.

By overseeing the full treatment plan, a TMJ specialist ensures medications serve as a bridge to recovery, not a long-term crutch. In this approach, the medication’s role is to reduce pain enough for patients to engage more comfortably in corrective therapies, with the goal of not just silencing pain but restoring function, balance, and comfort so the jaw can move freely and the body can heal naturally. Over time, as the joint stabilizes and muscle tension improves, the need for medication typically decreases.

Discover Lasting Relief from TMJ Pain with Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy in The Woodlands

At Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy in The Woodlands, patients receive care that goes far beyond symptom management. Led by Dr. Katherine S. Phillips—a nationally recognized authority in orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine—alongside Dr. YC Joseph FischerHahm, we combine advanced diagnostics with a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treating TMJ disorders and related pain. Using leading-edge technology and an integrated care model, our team can develop individualized treatment plans that may include oral appliance therapy, physical rehabilitation, behavioral guidance, sleep optimization, and carefully managed medication. By addressing the root causes behind jaw pain—rather than simply masking the symptoms—Restore TMJ & Sleep Therapy helps patients achieve lasting relief, improved function, and better overall well-being. Schedule a consultation today to start your path to recovery and long-term pain relief.