Cyclobenzaprine: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Monitoring of plasma drug levels should not guide management of the patient. Dialysis is probably of no value because of low plasma concentrations of the drug. For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day. This medication is not recommended for use in older adults because they may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug.

While the addictiveness of cyclobenzaprine is being debated, anyone exhibiting problematic patterns of substance use can benefit from addiction treatment. This is especially true if someone has been engaging in polydrug use with cyclobenzaprine and other substances. How cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) works is not well understood, but it helps alleviate stiffness, pain, and discomfort due to sprains, strains, or injuries to muscles. It is also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat fibromyalgia pain.

• This combination can cause extreme drowsiness and respiratory depression, but many people that abuse Flexeril will mix the substances anyway simply to increase the intoxication experienced.
• If you have back pain or have suffered a strain or sprain, your healthcare provider may offer you a skeletal muscle relaxant such as methocarbamol (Robaxin) or cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid, Amrix).
• This set of symptoms is often referred to as ‘Flexeril discontinuation syndrome’.

This is often a difficult time, with many changes and developments occurring. Depression, anxiety, and stress are common and often substance abuse seems like the best escape from mental health issues. If any of these indicators are familiar to you, it may mean you need to seek addiction treatment for your substance use. Get in touch with a medical provider today to find out your treatment options. Here we look at the factors contributing to the addictive nature of cyclobenzaprine, common withdrawal symptoms, and how to access addiction treatment. Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction.

More common side effects

Robaxin and Flexeril are effective treatments for treating musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms. The more effective drug is the one that works best for your specific case. Robaxin and Flexeril are FDA approved to treat discomfort or muscle spasms from acute musculoskeletal conditions as well as tetanus. 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.

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This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Even if you have insurance, the prices of Robaxin, Fexmid, Amrix, and other muscle relaxants may be cheaper through the BuzzRx discount program. You can get your BuzzRx card for free and start saving on muscle relaxants at a participating pharmacy near you right away. Flexeril (generic name cyclobenzaprine) was developed in the 1970s.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Do not take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking this drug with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI flexeril and ativan could increase your risk of serious side effects. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully.

In light of these findings, therapy with FLEXERIL in the elderly should be initiated with a 5 mg dose and titrated slowly upward. Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to produce arrhythmias, sinus tachycardia, prolongation of the conduction time leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Flexeril. It is unknown if Flexeril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Cyclobenzaprine has mild interactions with at least 221 different drugs.

Methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine are not recommended in elderly adults. Both medications are on the BEERS list, a recognized list of medications prepared by the American Geriatrics Society. Muscle relaxants with CNS depressant effects can increase the risk of dizziness, falls, and serious injury in the elderly. In a head-to-head trial between methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine, there was no significant difference in muscle spasms or tenderness. However, patients experienced slightly better improvements in local pain with cyclobenzaprine (48% vs. 40%).

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Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or within 14 days after their discontinuation. Hyperpyretic crisis seizures, and deaths have occurred in patients receiving cyclobenzaprine (or structurally similar tricyclic antidepressants) concomitantly with MAO inhibitor drugs. Yes, cyclobenzaprine can make you very sleepy and this side effect may get worse with higher doses. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect in studies, occurring in up to 38% (38 out of 100) of people. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine.

Keep in mind that regular cyclobenzaprine tablets may require dosing of up to 3 times a day. If you’re experienced severe musculoskeletal pain that hasn’t responded to physical therapy and over-the-counter medications, your doctor may consider prescribing stronger drugs. Muscle relaxants are one such class of second-line pain medications that are particularly useful for acute pain.