Muscle Relaxers: What They Are, Uses, Side Effects & Types
Flexeril and Diazepam are both used to treat muscle spasms. They belong to two different drug classes – muscle relaxant and benzodiazepine, respectively. The only salient difference is that Valium has a higher potential to cause drug dependency than Flexeril.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study … – BioSpace
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study ….
Posted: Mon, 22 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The different types and brands of skeletal muscle relaxers work in different ways to affect muscle function. Most muscle relaxers act as central nervous system depressants and cause a sedative effect, or prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. This is not a complete list ofFlexeril drug interactions. If you are taking another medication that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.
Pain Amplification Syndromes
Based on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg three times a day. Use of FLEXERIL for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended. Using Flexeril with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Another telltale sign of Flexeril addiction is abusing the medication in combination with another substance to produce a greater sense of euphoria. Alcohol is commonly abused alongside muscle relaxers like Flexeril because the substances amplify each others’ effects, causing the individual to experience a more intense sedation or high.
Chronic Opioid Use: An Interactive Case History – PracticalPainManagement.com
Chronic Opioid Use: An Interactive Case History.
Posted: Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
When certain drugs are used with cyclobenzaprine, they may cause more severe side effects such as increased drowsiness or sedation. A person should ask their doctor whether it is safe to combine another medication with cyclobenzaprine and take care not to operate any machinery while taking it. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Research indicates that it primarily acts within the central nervous system in the brain stem.
- Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
- The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections. While Flexeril addiction in itself is rare, if someone is abusing it alongside other illicit substances or prescription drugs, professional substance use treatment may be a great option. Flexeril is a popular central nervous system muscle relaxant that has a small potential for abuse and is not considered a controlled substance. Flexeril is most dangerous when abused with other central nervous system depressants. Your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how to take the medication. In general, antispastic medications act on your spinal cord or skeletal muscle directly to improve muscle tightness (hypertonicity) and involuntary spasms.
Because of the possibility of higher blood levels in the elderly as compared to younger adults, use of cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules is not recommended in the elderly. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Massachusetts and Ohio.
This timeline is appropriate for an immediate-release formulation. In the case of an extended-release formulation, the effects last for up to 24 hours. Cyclobenzaprine medications are not DEA Scheduled drugs and, therefore, the potential for misuse and dependence with Flexeril is considered to be relatively low.
These patients are generally more susceptible to drugs with potentially sedating effects, including cyclobenzaprine. FLEXERIL should be used with caution in subjects with mild hepatic impairment starting with a 5 mg dose and titrating slowly upward. Due to the lack of data in subjects with more severe hepatic insufficiency, the use of FLEXERIL in subjects with moderate to severe impairment is not recommended. The overall incidence of adverse reactions among patients in the surveillance program was less than the incidence in the controlled clinical studies. People who use Flexeril for longer periods of time for conditions like chronic pain and fibromyalgia have reported adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms when going off it.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. https://flexeril.live There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.