Flexeril: Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, and some common FAQs

Flexeril is a muscle relaxant and works by blocking the pathways of the neurotransmitters that signal pain. It is not an anti-inflammatory drug and does not reduce any inflammation to provide muscle relief. Both of them are used for pain relief but have different mechanisms. In most cases, it is advised not to take an anti-inflammatory drug and a muscle relaxant simultaneously, as they might be contra-indicated. Call your doctor or local poison control center if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug.

  • It works by preventing nerve impulses (or pain sensations) from reaching your brain.
  • Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
  • Talk with an addiction specialist as soon as possible, and you can begin to take the right steps toward recovery.

Other common tricyclic antidepressants include Norpramin, Tofranil, and Vivactil. Flexeril is typically prescribed to treat pain from some injury and works by blocking pain sensations in the central nervous system. In 2011, more than 25 million prescriptions containing cyclobenzaprine were given out in the United States.

Can You Overdose on Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)?

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. If you are not able to swallow the extended-release capsule whole, mix the contents of the capsule with applesauce. After you eat the mixture, take a drink, and swish and swallow to make sure that you have received all the medication.

I woke up in the morning and I took one 10mg tab of Flexeril, sat back and waited for the high. It can take between 45 minutes to 1 hour to feel the effects of Flexeril begin to kick in. My mind and my body became relaxed and I felt really good.

Regardless of the slight high, it gives to users, there is also the potential of becoming dependent on it. The slight relaxing feeling can become something that becomes a normal part of their everyday experience. When a patient becomes physically dependent on Flexeril, they’re often at a much higher risk of developing a cyclobenzaprine addiction further down the line.

Interactions

And when this dependency gets out of hand, Flexeril addiction is possible, which can have long-term implications and health effects that can end up tearing apart your life as you know it. These two dangerous consequences of Flexeril abuse are exacerbated by the fact that mixing drugs with cyclobenzaprine can make Flexeril addictive and deadly on a whole new level. Taking Flexeril with MAOs puts a person at high risk of a dangerous medical condition.

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Polydrug abuse can cause serious harm, especially when the combination includes CNS depressing substances such as benzodiazepines and alcohol. Consequently, there is no standardized way to measure the success of addiction flexeril 5mg uses treatments. However, this is also common for other chronic conditions. Estimates believe anywhere between 40 to 60 percent of patients who attend… On its own, cyclobenzaprine has minimal risks or long-term effects.

What is Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) used for?

It is structurally similar to the tricyclic antidepressants and adverse effects similar to those seen with the tricyclic antidepressants are therefore to be expected. Given the symptoms of a cyclobenzaprine high, you may be tempted to ask the question, “is Flexeril an opioid or is cyclobenzaprine a muscle relaxer of a different sort? 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. However, the truth is cyclobenzaprine belongs to a separate class of chemicals known as a muscle relaxant.

It takes a large dosage to overdose on Flexeril, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. As a central nervous system depressant, Flexeril can cause respiratory and cardiac arrest if taken in large quantities. Users have also experienced a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Users should also avoid operating any machinery as the drug is known to induce intense feelings of drowsiness. Trazodone hydrochloride (known as “trazodone”) is an FDA-approved antidepressant and sleeping pill developed in the 60s.

Some medicines can interact with cyclobenzaprine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer used to treat acute muscle pain and prevent muscle spasms caused by an injury or accident. Cyclobenzaprine also has some sedative effects which may result in sleepiness and fatigue.