Muscle Relaxers: Methocarbamol vs Cyclobenzaprine

It can also enhance the effects of agents with CNS depressant activity. Older adults appear to have a higher risk for CNS-related adverse reactions, such as hallucinations and confusion, when using cyclobenzaprine. Withdrawal symptoms have been noted with the discontinuation of chronic cyclobenzaprine use. Use of a medication taper may be warranted for chronic-use patients. 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.

Robaxin needs to be taken three to four times a day to provide relief from muscle pain and 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. However, your physician can better decide which drug is better for your back pain. 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.

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• Robaxin needs to be taken three to four times a day to provide relief from muscle pain and muscle spasms.
• We present this case as an example of the range of cyclobenzaprine toxicity and underline the treatment protocols used.
• The patient remained agitated for 48 hours after presentation and required frequent sedation.
• Since Flexeril is a muscle relaxant that shows the depressive activity of the CNS, it is not recommended to drive or do any dangerous activity under the influence of Flexeril.

It is recommended that doses be taken at approximately the same time each day. Use of Amrix for periods longer than two or three weeks is not recommended. Medicines that interact with Flexeril may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Flexeril. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This flexeril side effects with alcohol 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.

Anticholinergic symptoms predominate, extreme cases may manifest with cardiac dysrhytmias and seizures. In a series of 404 cases, adults ingesting less than 100 mg remained asymptomatic. Toxic and Anticholinergic symptoms occurred at doses greater than 100 mg. It is also chemically like tricyclic antidepressants, so it has a similar action, although it does not have exactly the same effects.

Cyclobenzaprine Misuse Statistics

Flexeril is a medication belonging to a class of skeletal muscle relaxants used to treat muscle spasms. These spasms may be induced by significant injuries of the musculoskeletal system or even due to usual physiological activities. This muscle relaxant works by blocking the pain signals and relieves the discomfort caused by muscle spasms.

The usual starting dose is 5 mg at night time, which can be increased to 10 mg after 5 to 7 days unless the child has difficulties awakening in the morning. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is structurally similar to TCAs and, as such, demonstrates significant anticholinergic side effects. It is generally used for musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia and low back pain. Cyclobenzaprine is best used in short-term treatment but may be used intermittently or long-term for chronic pain. The plasma half-life is 1 to 3 days, and the duration of action is 12 to 24 hours. Cyclobenzaprine is supplied as 10-mg tablets and has a recommended dose of 10 mg 3 times per day.

Muscle Relaxants

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. Ataxia, or severe and uncontrolled muscle spasms, is another symptom of toxicity. People with liver damage or liver problems should not take cyclobenzaprine, as the interaction on the liver is potentially dangerous. While the FDA indicates that there have not been enough studies involving people with hepatic impairment, the potential for the drug interacting negatively with the liver is high. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctor before taking cyclobenzaprine, as the medication has a less than 1 percent chance of interacting with the fetus or being secreted through the breastmilk.

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Like the TCAs, cyclobenzaprine has anticholinergic properties and may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, increased intraocular pressure, urinary retention, and constipation. The drug should, therefore, be used with caution in individuals with angle-closure glaucoma or prostatic hypertrophy. As with other TCAs, cyclobenzaprine should not be used in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure or during the acute phase of recovery from myocardial infarction. Cyclobenzaprine may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and should not be used concurrently or within 14 days of discontinuation of these drugs.

What is Flexeril?

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. When used for illicit purposes, the drug is often referred to as “cyclone” or “mellow yellow” with recreational doses ranging from 20 to 80 mg. At these dosages, users report mild to moderate drowsiness and relaxation as the primary effects. Compared with other commonly abused CNS depressants, cyclobenzaprine’s effects are considered to be mild, limiting its popularity as a recreational drug.