Cyclobenzaprine LiverTox NCBI Bookshelf
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Cyclobenzaprine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that works on the brainstem to treat muscle spasms of local origin. 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. Rather than activating opioid receptors like other prescription painkillers, Flexeril instead blocks certain nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Just because cyclobenzaprine isn’t an opioid though doesn’t mean it hasn’t become a substance of abuse.
Finding Treatment For Flexeril Addiction
Withdrawal symptoms may last one or two weeks and include malaise, nausea, and headache. There are no dangerous withdrawal symptoms when ending use of cyclobenzaprine. People with heart conditions, especially previous heart attacks, blockages, heart rhythm issues, or congestive heart failure, should not take cyclobenzaprine. Women who wish to become pregnant should discuss the potential interactions of the prescription with their doctor. Cyclobenzaprine is believed to act on gamma and alpha neurons and their firing, to reduce muscle tension or spasms.
While it can be abused if it’s mismanaged, it really isn’t worth the health risks the high offers. 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. This addiction is marked by compulsive drug-seeking behaviors, even when the negative effects of these behaviors are fully recognized. Flexeril is not a narcotic and will usually not show up on a basic 5-panel drug screen.
- These medications should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare provider.
- Like any medication, Skelaxin has benefits as well as side effects and risks.
- If a person has liver or kidney problems, the drug may remain in the body for longer.
These medications do not act directly on the muscle or nerves. American Family Physician states that there is weak (and very little) evidence in terms of muscle relaxants and their efficacy compared to each other. They recommend that the selection of a muscle relaxant should be based on the potential for side effects, drug interactions, abuse, and also patient preference. This publication also reiterates the importance of short-term use of muscle relaxants and that physical therapy and other measures should be taken to prevent long-term use of a muscle relaxant.
Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) are examples of skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) that your healthcare provider may prescribe if you experience muscle pain. Skelaxin and Flexeril are two FDA-approved medications indicated to treat muscle spasms. They are in a group of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants. Skelaxin and Flexeril are most commonly prescribed as their generic counterparts, metaxalone and cyclobenzaprine. The way they work is not completely understood, but may be due to central nervous system (CNS) depression and sedative effects.
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%). Cyclobenzaprine was also found to produce more somnolence or drowsiness (58% vs. 10%).
Elderly
At oral doses of up to 10 times the human dose, cyclobenzaprine did not adversely affect the reproductive performance or fertility of male or female rats. Cyclobenzaprine did not demonstrate mutagenic activity in the male mouse at dose levels of up to 20 times the human dose. Therefore, before using this product, tell your how long does flexeril stay in your body doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns. Although cyclobenzaprine is not a controlled substance, it is only available by physician prescription.
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When Flexeril and alcohol are mixed, however, these qualities can actually end up overlapping, making the potentially fatal risk of low respiration even more likely to occur. The alcohol also increases the side effects of cyclobenzaprine. This includes dizziness, difficulty thinking, and drowsiness. As a result, they may be more likely to physically hurt themselves while abusing cyclobenzaprine and alcohol. It’s not advised to drink alcohol at all while they’re being treated with Flexeril.
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Doing so can release all of the drugs at once, increasing the risk of side effects. It’s not considered a dangerous method of getting rid of specific muscular pain. It is given to patients who are more likely to abuse opiate pain killers and is considered less risky for abuse and addiction. There are no adequate studies to show that Robaxin or Flexeril are safe or harmful during pregnancy.