Muscle Relaxers: Methocarbamol vs Cyclobenzaprine

Getting high on Flexeril is kind of like being on a vacation. You have never felt such a feeling of relaxation in your entire life. I can easily see how someone might become addicted to it though.

Cyclobenzaprine acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce its muscle relaxant effects. Its actions on the CNS may also cause some of this medicine’s side effects. Cyclobenzaprine is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant structurally related to tricyclic antidepr[7]essants. Cyclobenzaprine relieves skeletal muscle spasms of local origin without interfering with muscle function.

Skeletal muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Therefore, you should wait and see how these medications affect you before driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. In a small number of people, cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol can cause more serious adverse effects such as allergic reactions with severe rash, swelling, and trouble breathing. If you experience these adverse effects, please seek emergency medical attention. Drug comparisons between cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol in terms of side effects do not reveal many differences. Both medications can cause adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and fatigue.

It works by acting in the brain and nervous system to allow the muscles to relax. Drug interactions may change how your medications flexeril.live work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.

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Signs of overdose include chest pain, hallucinations, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and extreme drowsiness. The risk of overdose is significantly increased when Flexeril is combined with other drugs, particularly alcohol or Benzodiazepines. 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. It’s important to share a complete list of medications and allergies with your doctor before taking any new medicines, including cyclobenzaprine.

Cyclobenzaprine may interact with other medications

This enables the provider to evaluate for any potential interactions and helps them keep the patient safe. Even if it feels like the effects of cyclobenzaprine have worn off, the drug may not be completely eliminated from the body yet and could cause serious interactions with other substances. Studies have compared cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, and other skeletal muscle relaxants and found that they are equally effective in treating acute musculoskeletal conditions.

• Many people believe that Flexeril is a narcotic similar to other painkillers like OxyContin, Fentanyl, or Vicodin based on how it makes you feel alone.
• Cyclobenzaprine’s plasma concentrations average 40% higher in the elderly, making these patients more at risk of the drug’s harmful effects.
• If you have muscle spasms or muscle pain and plan to take skeletal muscle relaxants, please work with your healthcare provider to find the one that works best for you.
• However, the truth is cyclobenzaprine belongs to a separate class of chemicals known as a muscle relaxant.
• The usual dose is 5–10mg three times daily and treatment for more than 2–3 weeks is not recommended.

If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. 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. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cyclobenzaprine extended-release capsules in the pediatric population.

Overall rating for Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.

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For most patients, the recommended dose of FLEXERIL is 5 mg three times a day. 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.

Cyclobenzaprine may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. Severe CNS depression may result in significantly slowed breathing, over sedation, coma, and death.3 If you are unable to stop abusing one or more substance, it’s time to seek help. Admitting your substance use has gotten out of control can save your life. Somnus Therapy’s online sleep therapy program can help guide you toward the best approach for treating both acute and chronic insomnia, regardless of the cause. Not only will this provide an energy boost but it can also improve your mood and make it easier to fall asleep at night.