Muscle Relaxers: Methocarbamol vs Cyclobenzaprine

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Secondary endpoints included a physician’s evaluation of the presence and extent of palpable muscle spasm. Analysis of the data from controlled studies shows that FLEXERIL produces clinical improvement whether or not sedation occurs.

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Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Professionals generally consider Flexeril to be nonaddictive; however, there is evidence that Flexeril addiction is possible. Flexeril depresses the central nervous system, an effect some find desirable, which can lead to misuse.

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. The medicine treats the condition by providing intermittent relief to the pain caused due to the spasms.

There are options available across the full continuum of care to help with substance abuse. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below.

What Are The Uses of Flexeril?

Yes, cyclobenzaprine can make you very sleepy and this side effect may get worse with higher doses. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect in studies, occurring in up to 38% (38 out of 100) of people. Avoid or limit the use of alcohol or other sedating medicines while being treated with cyclobenzaprine. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you.

Generic cyclobenzaprine may be under $0.50 for 30 tablets of the 10mg dose through the BuzzRx discount program. A long-acting formulation of cyclobenzaprine has been introduced and is believed by some clinicians to have a lower side effect profile can you take benadryl with flexeril than the immediate-release formulation of this drug. Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with cyclobenzaprine are listed below. Cyclobenzaprine oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.

Also, methocarbamol and cyclobenzaprine are not recommended in pregnant women, elderly adults, and young children. Methocarbamol can be used for long or short-term treatment as advised by a doctor. On the other hand, cyclobenzaprine is generally not prescribed for longer than two or three weeks. If you are taking another medication that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects.

What Is Flexeril?

The Flexeril dosage comes in Flexeril 5 mg and Flexeril 10 mg tablets. Fexmid is a brand name tablet that comes in a 7.5 mg tablet. Amrix is an extended-release capsule that can be taken once daily in a 15 mg – 30 mg dose. When certain drugs are used with cyclobenzaprine, they may cause more severe side effects such as increased drowsiness or sedation. A person should ask their doctor whether it is safe to combine another medication with cyclobenzaprine and take care not to operate any machinery while taking it.

• If you are not able to swallow the extended-release capsule whole, mix the contents of the capsule with applesauce.
• Less frequent dosing should be considered for hepatically impaired or elderly patients (see PRECAUTIONS, Impaired Hepatic Function, and Use in the Elderly).
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• Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients.
• You should discuss the treatment options with your doctor.

Keep in mind that regular cyclobenzaprine tablets may require dosing of up to 3 times a day. It is structurally similar to the tricyclic antidepressants and adverse effects similar to those seen with the tricyclic antidepressants are therefore to be expected. Cyclobenzaprine has not been tested in pediatric patients younger than 15 years of age. The elderly may be at a higher risk for adverse events, including hallucinations and confusion, cardiac events and drug interactions. According to the FDA, the plasma concentration of cyclobenzaprine is increased in the elderly, so the drug should be prescribed only if clearly needed. Initiation should begin with a 5 mg dose and slowly increased, under the careful eye of a doctor.

If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed.