Flexeril Cyclobenzaprine Hcl: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

Flexeril Cyclobenzaprine Hcl: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

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.

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. 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. Sometimes people will even have a heart attack or develop seizures.

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There are several case studies and scientific reviews of data, such asthis one, that argue there’s clear evidence of a high risk and incidence of muscle relaxer addiction. Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription drug used short-term to treat muscle spasms. Given the potential for abuse of this drug, it’s important to know the proper dosage for this particular muscle relaxer. You and your doctor will work out the proper cyclobenzaprine dosage for your particular situation. However, in general, physicians will prescribe Flexeril dosages according to the guidelines below as provided by the Mayo Clinic. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer used to treat muscle spasms and acute muscle pain.

Medical Professionals

This medication is not recommended for use in older adults because they may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug. Analysis of the data from controlled studies shows that FLEXERIL produces clinical improvement whether or not sedation occurs. Other potential effects of overdosage include any of the symptoms listed under ADVERSE REACTIONS. The plasma concentration of cyclobenzaprine is increased in patients with hepatic impairment (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics, Hepatic Impairment).

  • This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur.
  • When certain drugs are used with cyclobenzaprine, they may cause more severe side effects such as increased drowsiness or sedation.
  • It can occur when Tetracyclic Compounds and MAOIs both raise the level of serotonin too high in the body.
  • For that reason, you should consider a few risk factors before taking cyclobenzaprine, whether it’s for muscle pain and discomfort or to facilitate better sleep habits in the short term.

Primary endpoints for both trials were determined by patient-generated data and included global impression of change, medication helpfulness, and relief from starting backache. Each endpoint consisted of a score on a 5-point rating scale (from 0 or worst outcome to 4 or best outcome). In patients with CNS depression, early intubation is advised because of the potential for abrupt deterioration. Seizures should be controlled with benzodiazepines or, if these are ineffective, other anticonvulsants (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin). Physostigmine is not recommended except to treat life-threatening symptoms that have been unresponsive to other therapies, and then only in close consultation with a poison control center. Extreme stress can cause increased muscle tension and worsen your current pain or discomfort.

Some cases of Flexeril abuse have shown symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Seizures, nausea, agitation, and hallucinations are reported effects of the drug overdose. As we discussed that cyclobenzaprine is supposed to act at the brain stem, which is the same area that controls flexeril 10 mg dosage the heart rate. An abnormal amount of this drug can thus interfere with brain stem transmission to the brain. As a result, irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia, bradycardia, or tachycardia can occur. A severe form of these irregularities can cause the death of the patient.

Treatment

This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 3 Sep 2023), Cerner Multum™ (updated 28 Aug 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Aug 2023) and others. Abuse of muscle relaxants alone is uncommon; often, it involves other substances. Researchers look at emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers to determine the extent of drug abuse for medications. After all, people with an addiction issue tend to take a lot of the target drug, and they often take doses too close together.

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A cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) overdose can come on suddenly. Drowsiness and irregular heart rate (arrhythmia) are the most common effects. The dosage amount was actually lowered by the FDA in 2003 due to the risk of adverse reactions at higher doses. Recovered is not a medical, healthcare or therapeutic services provider and no medical, psychiatric, psychological or physical treatment or advice is being provided by Recovered. If you are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911 immediately. Overtaking Flexeril, even in the daily recommended dose, can lead to uncomfortable side effects such as dry mouth, headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, and stomach pain.

Dosage for relief of muscle spasms

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.

If you think that you have taken too much of this drug, you need to call a doctor or local poison control center immediately. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you struggle with liver problems, you need to start on a lower dose. This can help prevent levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. If you suffer from even moderate liver problems, you should not use this drug.